What started with the housing of four tortoises has become an idea by which a local Loveland coffee stop will be helping those affected by the wildfires along the Front Range.
The Colorado Coffee Company will be giving free food and coffee to firefighters and evacuees staying in nearby hotels as the Cameron Peak Fire and East Troublesome Fire continue.
Owner Stacy Kliner said she came up with the idea when she was asked by friends, who were forced to evacuate their homes, if she could take care of their four tortoises, one of which is over 60 years old.
“My husband was a firefighter when I first met him so we have a heart for first responders and wanted to know how we could help, and that was an easy way we could open up our home to help,” Kliner said. “Then here, obviously, this place we just have a really amazing opportunity to be a light in the community.”
Kliner said Thursday afternoon she recognized the need for help as people began to come in after being evacuated from the Estes Park area. Friday morning saw the official launch of the assistance, which has already begun to prove fruitful. Kliner said that by Friday evening, more than $400 had been raised to buy meals for those evacuated and those fighting the fire, with nearly every patron coming in willing to donate to help out.
“That is what family is for,” Kliner said. “We love this community, I was born in Loveland. If there is ever a chance that we can help and have an impact in a good way, that is what this business is for.”
She added that by donating money to buy a meal for someone who needs it, community members can fulfill desires they may have to help those affected when finding a way to help can sometimes prove difficult.
This mindset has been shown by the customers at the Colorado Coffee Company. Jonathan Cocek, a Loveland resident, said this type of giving back is something he wants to contribute to.
“This is our little way of doing something,” Cocek said. “We all want to help out.”
But giving to those in need branches beyond species; 10-year-old Molly Kliner, Stacy’s daughter, has been making dog treats since her grandmother gave her a dog treat recipe book. In the past, she has helped the Big Bones Canine Rescue and now she is using the money raised by selling her dog treats to help those in need. She also is giving away her treats to dogs that have been evacuated.
Molly said, for her, the love of her dog Winnie, who they believe was abused, made her want to help out dogs in need, whether it is helping a rescue or dogs whose owners fled the wildfires.
“They are probably worried because dogs can usually feel their owners’ feelings,” Molly said. “If their owners are stressed out and scared, they are going to be stressed out and scared and worried about what is going to happen. I am hoping that my dog treats will make them feel more comfortable.”
Kliner said she hopes other companies in the area will find ways to give back to those in need. She added the ultimate goal is to help people during a tough time in a space that is meant for just that kind of thing.
“That is what coffee shops are, they are for creating community,” Kliner said. “We really want this to be a safe and a fun place for people to come and be uplifted during a really hard time.”
