Community steps up to help police award more $100 gifts to locals in need

Christmas may have passed, but the season of generosity is carrying on in Longmont.

Sparked by a story of an anonymous donor who gave $1,000 to the Longmont Police Department to award to families impacted by crime, traffic crashes or other events that put them in contact with officers, the community has stepped up and added $3,200 to the giving effort.

“... Some generous business community members have helped people who could use some kindness during tough times,” Longmont Public Safety Deputy Chief Jeff Satur said in an email.

The original donation last month was given out in $100 increments to 10 recipients nominated by police officers and other Public Safety staff members. The additional money will be distributed the same way, with $1,500 already awarded as of Wednesday, Satur said. 

The latest 15 recipients as described by those who suggested them are:

• A woman struggling with severe mental health issues who cannot work right now, “which means her finances are extremely limited,” according to the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion, or LEAD, program case manager who nominated her.
  The woman has worked with the LEAD and Crisis Outreach Response and Engagement, or CORE, programs and has made incredible progress this year “despite it being 2020,” and “her desire to keep moving forward is inspiring,” her nominator stated. “ … I am overwhelmed by her joy in the midst of a terrible storm. I wish we were all a bit more like her, bringing love and laughter to all those around us despite our financial, mental and physical circumstances.” 
   
• A single mother of two whose daughter was the victim of an attempted sexual assault after a stranger broke into their home. “These funds would help mom with day-to-day needs, especially right now around the holidays,” stated the victim advocate who nominated the family.
   
• A family whose daughter is a sexual assault victim. “The family dynamics relating to the suspect, who has been charged, have created a lot of strain on the family and their living situation. This generous donation would certainly be appreciated with the tough year they have had,” stated the nominating detective.
   
• A single mom with two young children who “is a hard worker but has been struggling financially,” according to the nominating police officer. “She works with our citizens struggling with housing and helps keep them in housing through her hard work and dedication. She and her family could really use the extra help this money would give them. She is truly a gem of a human.”
   
• A family impacted by a hit-and-run crash whose property has been previously damaged in recent years. “They were dismayed that without cameras, we had no workable leads to solve their case. They wanted to purchase a camera to help protect their neighborhood, but do not have the financial means to do so,” stated the nominating officer. “If there is money available, then they would be very appreciative of the assistance and it would be a nice Christmas gift to give them back some peace of mind.”
   
• A woman who works as a convenience store clerk who called dispatch seeking toys for her six children for Christmas. “She said they had limited funds for such things and struggled with food,” stated the communications specialist who nominated her. After receiving the call the nominator said she “promptly went down to the toy stash only to discover things were gone. I went to Walmart, bought toys for the kids and they donated a $60 gift card but with a large family, I can't imagine that went very far. If you've any leftover funds, I think she and her family are very deserving.”
   
• A multigenerational family of six whose father was unable to work when COVID-related restrictions were put in place. As a result, the family was forced to move from a rental house to a two-bedroom apartment. 
   
• A man living in his car with his dog who is working but lost his home this year after falling on hard times. “He is working with HOPE to get housing currently. He keeps warm blankets in his car for the dog and checks on the dog every hour when he’s at work. He could use some more help for supplies for his dog and him during the winter,” the nominating officer stated. 
   
• A single woman living alone who was denied Social Security disability assistance and is working to appeal but is struggling to pay her bills in the interim, according to  the nominating LEAD program case manager.  
   
• A resident who is in the process of applying for Social Security disability assistance and is struggling to pay rent and buy groceries while still making all her Social Security Disability Insurance appointments, according to the nominating LEAD program case manager.
   
• A woman who is working diligently to get into substance use treatment and “is prioritizing her sobriety” until she can get a bed, according to the nominating LEAD program case manager. “Once she leaves treatment she plans on getting into a self-supported recovery house. I would really like to be able to give her a gift card for when she moves into the self-supported recovery house so that she can get some essentials for her new space.”
   
• A single mom who was a victim of domestic violence earlier this year. “She is currently fighting cancer, dealing with trauma from the assault, and struggling to make ends meet. Any help would be very much appreciated,” stated the nominating victim advocate.
   
• A longtime LEAD program participant who is at a long-term residential treatment program “after nearly two years of working closely with case management to determine what recovery looked like for him,” stated a case management supervisor. “He is doing so well and feeling even better. Although he may not be able to use the gift card immediately, as he earns day passes, I'm sure he would be thrilled to be able to have some money to purchase needed items for himself and/or his loved ones (to) whom he can send care packages.”
   
• A longtime LEAD program participant who has been living in a LEAD apartment for about a year and half. “He was recently approved for Social Security Disability Insurance and is moving into his own apartment ... in January. He could use this money to set himself up in his new apartment,”  stated a case management supervisor.
   
• The family of two young boys ages 7 and 8 who were befriended by a communications staff member and his sons after meeting at the Longmont Ice Pavilion.The staff member has donated a couple pairs of old skates as well as some sticks to the boys, who are just learning to skate, but in his nomination he said it’s “obvious the boys are wearing … old hand-me-down jackets, gloves and hats, and I think they would be an excellent candidate for a gift card to hopefully get them some new winter garb. Very, very polite boys and a very grateful-for-what-they-have dad. This would come as a complete shock and welcome surprise I’m sure.”

Want to give?

For those who would like to help victims of crime, car crashes and domestic violence, gift cards victim advocates and the Longmont Ending Violence Initiative are always in need of gift cards for those they serve. To donate a gift, card contact Longmont Public Safety Communications and Marketing Manager Robin Ericson at [email protected] or 303-651-8424.