Operation Homefront Puts Out Call to Help Military Families Affected by Colorado Wildfires

U.S. Air Force Academy Staff and Other Military Residents Evacuated

COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo., June 27, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Operation Homefront, the national nonprofit that provides emergency financial and other assistance to military families and Wounded Warriors, today put out a call for assistance on behalf of military families affected by the wildfires ravishing Colorado.

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Service members and their families who need emergency assistance should call 800-722-6098.

Colorado Springs is home to a sizable military population, with many military families living in Colorado Springs area, including areas being evacuated because of the fires.  To assist military families affected by this natural disaster, Operation Homefront is seeking monetary donations online at www.OperationHomefront.net/RockyMountains.

"We all recognize the sacrifices of our military service members and their families.  As always, Operation Homefront has stepped forward to help meet their emergency needs.  Currently, the evacuation centers have the donated items to meet immediate needs.  We're working with other local organizations to provide food, baby items, and other specific things.  Most of the needs will become apparent over the coming days and weeks as these families rebuild their lives." said Jim Knotts, President & CEO of Operation Homefront.  "We rely on the generosity of the American people to help military families every day, but this is an especially urgent call to help those threatened by the fires."

Operation Homefront will work with local officials, first responders, military leadership, and emergency service providers to ensure that military families receive assistance in their time of need.

"The military community in Colorado will pull together to help each other through this crisis," said Carol Harp, Rocky Mountains Field Office Director for Operation Homefront.  "Right now we need the resources to provide immediate assistance to help families who have been displaced, or have lost their homes and their possessions."

The Colorado Springs area is home to the Air Force Academy, Fort Carson, Schriever Air Force Base, Peterson Air Force Base, and Cheyenne Mountain Air Force Station, and many reserve component service members and families.

About Operation Homefront:  A national nonprofit, Operation Homefront leads more than 4,500 volunteers with nationwide presence, and has met more than 590,000 needs of military families since its inception in 2002.  A four-star rated charity by watchdog Charity Navigator, nationally, 94 percent of total revenue donated to Operation Homefront goes directly to assist service members.  For more information, go to www.OperationHomefront.net.

SOURCE Operation Homefront