Lamar Lions Generate Care Packages for Ft Lyon Residents

Packaged Supplies for Ft Lyon Residents. Dick Ramsay at Right

Several weeks ago, Lamar Lions, Dick Ramsay and Ken Callison put out a call for donations of everyday apparel for adults, simple furnishings such as lamps and rugs and cosmetic and hygiene items for the men and women residents at the Ft. Lyon Supportive Residential Community in Las Animas. The response has been tremendous.

Ken Callison and Helpers

“We’ve made six trips with full loads now,” said Ramsay, as he, Callison and Karl Nieschburg, loaded dozens of boxes into a trailer for trip number seven this past Tuesday, October 21. He added, “This isn’t the work we’ve done, but the generosity of the residents of the Lamar area who have contributed to help these folks.”

Karl Nieschburg Loads the Delivery Truck

The three men were using dollies to move the boxes from their donated storage room at the Rodeway Cow Palace Inn for the next trip to the Community. The residence, formerly a VA hospital for elder patients and most recently a prison which was closed about two years ago, observed its first year of operation as a rehabilitation center for former veterans and homeless adults throughout Colorado.  From an initial start of less than 50 residents last September, the facility now provides services and counseling for 221 individuals, 23% of whom are veterans.  The residents are offered mental health, drug and alcohol dependency counseling and general health care services.  Clothing, general everyday toiletries for men and women and simple furnishings for a bedroom or living room tops the list of needs.

Ft Lyon Residence Center

Several months ago, Ramsay and Callison asked the Prowers County Development Incorporated board for space in their East Washington Street property to use as a storage area. Board member, Doug Thrall, volunteered an unused meeting room at his motel as using that facility would streamline operations compared to using the East Washington Street warehouses.  Once there were enough collected items, the Lions and other volunteers would make a donation run to the 550 acre site in Las Animas.  Callison told the board at the time, “Some of these people are getting off the bus at the center with nothing but the clothes they’re wearing and some don’t even have shoes.”  They had put out a call for donations for those items, but included such things as throw rugs, table lamps and end tables and pictures to decorate walls of their rooms.  Some generic sports equipment items such as soccer or baseballs will be used too.  The needs also included items like back to school supplies such as pens, pencils and writing paper and tablets.  For many of the residents, they’re literally starting their lives over.

The center’s population is expected to increase as it moves into second year, so the demand for many of the items won’t diminish. Callison can be reached at 688-8782 and Ramsay at 336-9570.

By Russ Baldwin