As the holidays quickly approach, people are reminded to be grateful for the roof over their head and a warm bed to sleep in. The season is also a time to remember those facing hard times and who can't cover basic needs.

The Family & Intercultural Resource Center kicked off its annual Summit County Cares campaign Tuesday, with a goal of raising $50,000 by Dec. 31. All of the money raised is used to pay rent/mortgage, utility or medical bills for locals living or working in Summit County.

“The need for help with basic needs — shelter, heat, food, clothing and medical treatment — remains high as local families and individuals continue to struggle with unemployment and underemployment,” Rob Murphy, FIRC's community support manager said. “The Summit County Cares campaign has become the most important resource for meeting the needs of families we work with and those referred to us by our community partners; without the ongoing generosity of people in the community we would be unable help.”

Last year the community raised more than $50,000 for the fund, which was used to help more than 1,000 children and adults facing eviction, disconnection of heat or electricity or needed medical care or prescriptions. More than 97 percent of families helped with this fund have been laid off, had hours cut at work, a medical emergency or needed to leave an abusive relationship.

Nearly 50 percent of employees in Summit County work in the accommodation and food service industries, which has an average pay of $11.23 per hour, according to the Northwest Colorado Council of Governments 2011 Benchmark Report. So, a cut in hours can significantly impact the ability to pay rent or utility bills, especially if a child gets sick or an emergency arises.

“The two goals of the fundraiser are to build awareness of the hard times our neighbors and employees are facing and to make it a community event, where all of Summit County can rally together to make a difference,” FIRC's development director Anita Overmyer said. “What makes this fundraiser unique is knowing that 100 percent of your gift stays in Summit County and goes towards helping a family get back on their feet, it's a perfect gift to give this holiday season.”

Last year's funds helped a young couple with small kids who had become homeless. Dad was about to start a new job, but the family had gone through all of their resources staying at a hotel while he was looking for work, and were almost out of money. The Summit County Cares fund was able to provide some extra help with food and diapers, and extended their hotel stay for a few nights. The family was able to find an affordable apartment to move into, and FIRC helped out with part of the first month's rent to get them moved in. With the income from dad's new job, the couple can afford rent and other basic expenses moving forward.

Going for $50,000

The campaign started in 2008, raising $33,400 in its first year. In 2009, the community contributed $38,800. Last year's $50,000 exceeded a $45,000 goal, but the extra bump was very much needed: Starting last year, FIRC saw extra cuts in funding from outside organizations struggling to make ends meet.

“We were overwhelmed with how the community pitched in last year,” Overmyer said.

Beyond the need to make up for lost funding, Overmyer predicts an increase in those looking for utility assistance. The government's Low Income Energy Assistance Program, a seasonal program that helps low-income families with heating costs, recently reduced the income limit from 185 percent of the federal poverty level to 150.

“We feel like we're going to have more people coming to us in need of utility assistance,” she said.

Money raised is budgeted throughout the next year, with the off-season months garnering the most attention, since more people are between jobs.

The Summit Foundation supports the annual fundraiser, which also assists clients of Advocates for Victims of Assault, Summit Community Care Clinic and Summit County Social Services in need of emergency assistance. Media sponsors include the Summit Daily News, Krystal 93, NRC365 Mountain Network, TV8 and Comcast Spotlight.

“The need for emergency assistance, particularly in the form of rental assistance, has grown over the years for our clients,” Amy Jackson, executive director of Advocates said. “I have seen an increased need over the four years we have participated in Summit County Cares which speaks to how important this fundraiser is. If our organization is seeing an increased need, I know so many other organizations are too. We are so lucky to have a community that supports basic needs assistance locally through Summit County Cares.”

“I was in a very unhappy, dangerous situation,” an anonymous Advocates client said. “My marriage was abusive on many levels and I was beginning to realize the effects it was having on my children. I knew I had to somehow get out, but in my mind that seemed impossible.” The client met with Advocates, who let them know about local resources available, including FIRC. “I cannot even imagine what the last year would have been like without the assistance of the Advocates and the FIRC. It has been frightening and painful, but through it all I have felt cared for, protected and strengthened by these kind people. I now know that I deserve to be happy and safe.”