08/19/2026
Stop saying yes to everything.
We spend a lot of time around here talking about showing up. Bringing the food. Giving the ride. Making the phone call. Going to the meeting. Checking on the neighbor.
But every yes costs you something. Time, energy, attention, money, sleep. Sometimes the thing you're saying yes to is worthwhile and the answer still needs to be no.
This week, stop doing one thing that doesn't fill you back up. Even if it's important. Even if you care about it. Even if it's mutual aid.
Rest. Stay home. Eat the food. Ask for the ride. Let somebody check on you for a change.
There will always be more work.
There should also still be a you around to do the work that matters to you.
Here is what is happening around the valley this week.
BIG CALL FOR HANDY NEIGHBORS
We have money for Little Free Pantry building supplies!
What we need now are some handy souls willing to turn those supplies into actual pantries.
You don't need to fund the project. You don't need to adopt or stock a pantry. We need people who can measure, cut, screw things together, problem solve, or work alongside somebody who knows how.
If you've got some basic building skills and a little time to give, please get in touch.
We have the money. We have places that need pantries. Now we need some hands.
Serving Summer Food & Hygiene Drive
We've extended Serving Summer through the end of August to help keep Little Free Pantries stocked during the hottest part of the year.
We're especially collecting bottled water, drink mixes, tea, high-protein trail snacks, shelf-stable camping foods, heat-and-eat meals, canned soup, sunscreen, bug spray, body wipes, body powder, and deodorant.
Collection boxes are at Oveja Negra, Chaffee Remote, Benjamin's Books, Copper Kettle Apothecary, and every Saturday at the Farmers Market.
Collection for Food Runs
Our next Costco run is coming up. If you'd like to help us fill those carts and stock pantries around the valley, donations can be sent to Venmo -gilman-0.
Community Health Assessment Survey
This will help Chaffee County bring more public health funding into our community.
The county is conducting its Community Health Assessment, and one of the simplest ways you can help is by taking the anonymous survey and passing it along to your people.
English:
[https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8902262/2026-chaffee-county-community-health-assessment-survey]
Español:
[https://survey.alchemer.com/s3/8902262/fc3035a6343e]
BRIDGE Database Training
August 20, 1:00 to 3:00 PM
Chaffee Mutual Aid is offering a free training on the BRIDGE Database, our directory of roughly 270 organizations, nonprofits, agencies, and programs serving Chaffee County.
We've used it to connect neighbors with rides, tuition assistance, housing resources, legal aid, appliances, and much more.
Our goal isn't just helping people find information.
It's helping people find people.
Register here:
[https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSf7GnngWXLmGObysFBWykm_rLVv6mXMx7pg_-Wo2PbUXHo8uQ/viewform?usp=sharing&ouid=114722823286441267143]
Women's Equality Dance Performance
August 27
The Women's Equality Dance Performance will benefit the Guidestone Salida Community Fridge.
You can support the event by showing up, purchasing a suggested-donation ticket, or donating money, baby food, feminine products, or sanitary items for the fridge.
[https://www.achurchsalida.org/event-details/womens-equality-dance-performance]
The Accountability Project
August 27, 5:00 PM at High Side Bar & Grill
On the last Thursday of every month, we meet up over drinks and figure out what we want to know about the institutions around us and how we're going to find out.
This month we're talking about Flock cameras, something CMA members have had A LOT to say about lately.
We're especially interested in looking at current and historical county contracts involving Flock or replacement license-plate-reader systems.
Come learn how to make public records requests, bring what you already know, or just show up with questions.
Let's use our privilege on power.
A Phone for a Neighbor
We have a neighbor who needs a working phone until they are able to get one on August 27.
If you've got an old functional phone sitting in a drawer, or would be willing to purchase a simple phone from Walmart, please reach out.
A Skateboard for a Neighbor
We're looking for what one of our members called a mental health skateboard for a neighbor who has very few belongings and just wants to feel the wind in his face.
If you've got a solid skateboard laying around, we'd love to help it find somebody who will get a lot of joy from it.
Camping & Emergency Supplies
CMA is collecting usable camping and emergency supplies to rehome with neighbors who need safe, practical gear for outdoor living, evacuation, displacement, or other emergencies.
We're especially looking for tents, sleeping bags, sleeping pads, tarps, backpacks, camp stoves, coolers, camp chairs, and other sturdy outdoor gear in good condition.
If you've got something gathering dust in a garage or gear closet, let us put it back to work. Good equipment can make a hard situation safer, warmer, and a little more manageable.
Free Dental Care in Cripple Creek
September 25 and 26
Colorado Mission of Mercy is holding a free dental clinic at Cripple Creek-Victor High School for anyone who needs dental care.
They'll be providing fillings, extractions, non-molar root canals, cleanings, and children's dentistry, along with limited crowns and flippers. A limited number of dentures will be available Friday only.
There are no appointments. It's first come, first served, and the clinic fills early. Doors open at 6:00 AM Friday and Saturday, and people can line up the night before. Bring your medication list, snacks and water, and something to occupy yourself while you wait.
More information:
[www.COMOM.org](http://www.COMOM.org)
720-648-0919
What We Have Been Doing
We found a ride for a neighbor to get to a cardiology appointment and home again.
We found another ride to get a neighbor home to Buena Vista after an appointment and errands in Salida.
We stocked Little Free Pantries across the valley.
A CMA member with construction and contracting experience is getting started on installation of our new Little Free Pantry at the Maysville Fire Department.
We started talks with KHEN about running daily food drive spots on the air.
We helped connect someone with grief counseling. Please hold this neighbor in your thoughts while they heal from a deep loss.
We helped support housing stability for neighbors at risk of displacement and helped move furniture and household resources where they were needed.
We helped get food, water, ice, and other practical supplies to neighbors living in remote camps and other precarious situations.
We checked in with our neighbors who didn't feel up to getting out.
We met up with old friends to dream up new mischief.
We played with our friend's dog when they were sick.
Some weeks you build infrastructure.
Some weeks you drive somebody home.
Some weeks you help someone stay housed.
Some weeks you play with the dog.
It's all people taking care of people.
And remember, you're one of the people.
Always yours in solidarity,
Your CMA Social Media Team
