Follow up on Fire in downtown Lyons
Thanks, and injuries
SAVINGS LIVES
Holly Beck, owner of Bellwether, was the first to discover the smoke and smell and immediately went to the basement level to see what was going on. Upon discovering the fire, she went to the other businesses and alerted them of the fire, and cleared the building.
INJURIES
One of the First Responders reported that he received “singes” (as he put it) on his face, but did not require a hospital stay.
Chelsea Grace (3 C’s Art Collective, Gallery) did go to the hospital. Her blood pressure was very elevated, and she had smoke inhalation. The ER gave her two breathing treatments, and a chest X-ray. She was released a few hours later after her oxygen levels and C02 levels were good.
Crystal Violet saved Chelsea’s life by alerting her of the fire.
Crystal was also put in an ambulance.
Thank you for reporting on this.
Crystal Violet also has a studio called Tie-Dyed Turtle Natural Living. She lost three sewing machines, her computer, all her inventory, and had just finished her Christmas orders.
ASSISTANCE / FOOD
Lots of food and support were immediately offered to the First Responders and victims by LEAF (the Lyons Food Pantry), Moxie’s Bread, Marigold (restaurant), and the St. Vrain Market
ARAPAHO ENCAMPMENT PAINTING, Mary Magdalena
Thanks for asking about the mural ”Arapaho Encampment” it was just about to go to a new location when the fire at Holly’s store destroyed it. So sad! I do have a professionally created digital of it so at least I can make copies. So sorry for all the loss … especially everyone’s creations! I just never imagined that it would be destroyed by fire. Life is impermanent… I loved creating it and my intentions were to honor the Native Americans…. That has not been destroyed. I feel that it will rise from the ashes. Thanks, Mary
ART WORK on the FENCING
Local artists Kahlie Sue Pinello and Ann Hall did an art installation on Wednesday, Dec. 21, on the fence around the fire zone. They used floor length curtains, solar string lights, and solar garden stakes as a base. Others joined in as the day progressed. From Ashes to Art.
Donations and Fundraisers
DONATIONS
Laura Levy helped set up a Go Fund Me account on Facebook within hours of the fire’s destruction (to be administered by LEAF). Within the first 24 hours, the great folks of Lyons and beyond had donated $32,674. By the second day, the figure was up to $45,000+ On Thursday, Dec. 22, the figure was just over $51,600. —- That evening LEAF set up an account of their own that people can access from anywhere. It is currently just over $15,000.
1. Facebook GO FUND ME: https://www.facebook.com/donate/1148090979403558 (to be given to LEAF to handle the funds)
2. LEAF’s fundraiser:
Special Offer — When you donate on the Leaf page directly and sign up for a reoccurring donation, Meta will match your donation up to $100. This offer lasts through December.
https://www.facebook.com/LyonsCOLEAF?mibextid=LQQJ4d
==A fundraiser was put together on Saturday, December 17, for the independent artists who lost their art work on commission at Bellwether. The artists brought in pieces of art to sell. It took place in McCann Realty Co. storefront on Main Street. The sale will continue the 18th to 23rd, 11 a.m. to 6p.m. All proceeds go to the artists. 100% of the proceeds went to the artists. Thanks to McCann for offering their large office space for the sales.
==“Gotcha Covered” is going to do a charity sing-along holiday party at the SpiritHound distillery on Friday the 23rd which benefits the victims of the fire. It starts at 6 p.m. Bring your singing voice.
==Robin Melroy sold tie-die clothing and more and gave 50% of the proceeds to LEAF.
==Cara Martinez makes earrings and necklaces, and is donating 25% to the victims.
==Donna Jo Dees Smith is making Tea Cozies… $30 and $35 to benefit the fire victims;
some with fringe, pom-poms and ruffles. 25% goes toward materials, and 75% goes to the fire victims. (She did masks during the COVID pandemic). She is friends with Crystal Violet (who also sues) =Not just the money needed to survive but the tools she needs to get back to business. = Donna has set up a Go Fund Me for Crystal.
==Donated Proceeds == Thanks to these businesses who donated 20% of proceeds of certain sales go to the “victims” — Fri thru Sun, Dec 16 – 18: Spirit Hound; Uniquely Lyons & Solace ; Mojos Taqueria; and St. Vrain Market (pastry goods) == 10% of sales at Friday night party at Diner Bar, Dec. 16.
The Lyons Community Foundation would like to offer our deepest condolences to the local businesses that were affected by the fire yesterday. A lot of these businesses were still coming back from the effects of the pandemic, some of them were even affected by the flood when the whole town had to evacuate in 2013. All of these businesses were owned independently by women. Most of them lost all of their inventory, a week before Christmas, when they hope to sell enough to get through the rest of winter. —- We know that many of you may have already allocated your year-end giving dollars. Please consider giving what you can by donating to a special fund set up by our friends at LEAF: leaflyons.org/main-street-fire.
NOTE: The LYONS RECORDER will post updates on where and/or when these businesses “reopen”.
Mental Wellness Help
MENTAL WELLNESS HELP Available
LEAF opened its doors on Saturday from 1-3p.m. Cherie Maureaux said, that she, as the mental health therapist, and other volunteers would be there with cash support for all business owners, tenants, and artists affected by the Main Street Fire. They provided: Snacks. And hugs.” Come by! We are here, be here with us.” EMAIL: mentalwellness@leaflyons.org
Go to the Lyons Recorder COMMUNITY RESOURCES page, which also contains a link to Churches, Mental Health Resources, County Resources, and more. (This can be reached at any time by clicking on the “tool bar” at the top of the front page and choosing “Community Resources.” For immediate help, call “988” (just punch in the numbers, like dialing 911)
See our ARTICLE written on the day of the fire, December 8, 2022, for more details on the fire, and photographs of the first responders taking control of the fire.
See our FOLLOW UP “Statements by TENANTS” ARTICLE in today’s, December 22, 2022.
All material in the Lyons Recorder is copyright (2022)
