UpaDowna | Up a Mountain, Down a Beer

Donate Gear for Good

Blog Post

UPDATE

M HM has donated 12 rental packs!! MANY thanks!

POLAR BOTTLES has donated 54 of their insulated water bottles!!!! YOU ROCK!

As many of you have heard, the Black Forest Wildfire is the largest and most destructive fire in Colorado History...and it is only 3 days old. As of now it has destroyed a confirmed 360 homes with thousands more at risk. Times like these leave us wondering how we can help, both to set our minds at ease but also follow our passions and while getting outdoors may be the furthest thing from your mind we know the true healing power of the outdoors and want to help those that have lost everything be able to get out when they wish. With that end in mind we are starting a stock pile of camping equipment to lend to those that are impacted by the fires FREE OF COST.

In partnership with Mountain Equipment Recyclers and City Rock Climbing Center, we are asking for your help. Please dig through your closets and find whatever outdoor gear you don't need and can donate to the families that are displaced by this horrific fire. We're looking for anything that folks could use outdoors from a day hike to overnights, car camping to kayaking. Major items will be rented for FREE to mandatory evacuated families and smaller personal-use items will be given to them to keep. Overflow of items will be used not just for this fire, but other disasters in our community if you would like to support victims in other ways please consider donations to the PPCF Emergency Relief Fund for the Pikes Peak Region.

TO DONATE:

Drop off the following gently used or new items to:

MER, 1024 S. Tejon St. COS, CO 80903

City Rock Climbing Center, 21 N. Nevada, COS, CO 80903

Or CALL US and we'll arrange shipping or pick up 719-216-2185

Here is a list of basic items we are looking for:

Larger items needed: (available for FREE rental to evacuees)

Tents

Camp stoves/fuel

Sleeping bags (with optional liners)

Headlamps (with extra batteries)

Sleeping pads/air mattresses

Flashlights (with extra batteries, bulbs)

Lanterns (with mantles, if needed)

Lantern fuel or batteries

Water filter or treatment tablets

Bikes

Hammocks

Daypacks

Bike trailers

Trekking poles

Inflatable boat with paddles

Child carrier

Fishing gear

Rolling jogger

Canoeing/kayaking gear

GPS receiver

Binoculars

Clothing and footwear (given to evacuees to keep)

Moisture-wicking T-shirts

Quick-drying pants/shorts

Insulating jacket or vest

Long-sleeve shirts (for sun, bugs)

Insulated pants

Sun-shielding hats

Gloves or mittens

Swimsuits

Rainwear (jacket and pants)

Bandanas or buffs

Boots or shoes suited to terrain

Water sandals

Socks (synthetic or wool)

Other possible items:

Notebook and pen/pencil

Camera

Memory cards

Sketchpad with art supplies

Maps

Guidebook

Interpretive field guides (flowers, insects)

Star chart/night-sky identifier

Umbrella

Pet tent

Pet food/bowl

Pet bed

Pet leash and toys

TO RECEIVE ITEMS:

If you are in the MANDATORY evacuated zone or have lost your home to this or any other disaster in our region, bring ID and proof of address and head to Mountain Equipment Recyclers at 1024 S. Tejon Monday-Sat 10am-6pm. There, Mike, Shane, and Ethan can help direct you to the gear to check out.

If you have any questions, please contact Steve of UpaDowna at 719-216-2185 or at steve@upadowna.org