Almost everyone knows individuals who have been in need of financial, physical, and/or emotional help at one time or another. The entire country has seen an increase in these types of needs with the recent economic struggle. People are hurting due to lost jobs, rising costs, and other emergencies. Many organizations and groups have stepped forward to help a neighbor or a stranger who is in need. One support group that is called upon almost daily for assistance here in Archuleta County is the Community Assistance Fund.

The Community Assistance Fund, funded and administered by the Community United Methodist Church, is an organized effort that has been helping individuals for well over ten years. Its goal is to provide assistance to persons in our local area who have a variety of needs, such as: prescription medication, medical assistance, utility payments, rent payments, eyeglasses, gasoline to get to a job site, bus tickets, counseling fees and testing (DUI), home repair assistance, meal vouchers for local restaurants, moving expenses, lodging assistance at local motels, child care and day care assistance, mortgage assistance, and many other needs. The Community Assistance Fund is dependent solely upon donations and meets the emergency needs, regardless of religious af¥liation, of people who live on the margins including those in the service and construction industries in the Pagosa community. Last year, the fund paid for two weeks lodging for a homeless man who was in the last stages of liver cancer. Having a bed and a room allowed Hospice to administer care to the end of his life. Additionally, on occasion, money or commodities go to help people who are just passing through our community and find themselves in unexpected need of some type of support .

The Community Assistance Fund also contributes to Pagosa Outreach Connection. In 2010, 1464 food boxes were distributed and $55,090 of financial aid provided by this Fund, and a total of $113,650 in financial assistance to those in need was spent.

The purpose of Art in the Garden is to support these charitable efforts for our community. Each year a donation has been made to the Community Assistance Fund as a result of this event. Most of the proceeds are raised through the sale of tickets at $40 each. Volunteers for Art in the Garden work hard to secure other donations to keep the expenses for putting on the event at a minimum. Artists and musicians participating donate their time and talent, and donate a portion of art and music sales made at the event. In 2009, $12,000 was donated to the Community Assistance Fund by Art in the Garden, and in 2010, a donation of $11,000 was made.

Last year the Board of Directors for Art in the Garden worked hard to achieve 501c3 designation and form the Creative Outreach Charitable Organization (COCO). COCO is now the name of the group that organizes and puts on Art in the Garden and its Board of Directors is already at work on this year's event.

For the price of your ticket, you will be served gourmet appetizers, entrées and desserts while enjoying the talents of individual musicians and musical ensembles between 3pm and 7pm. Throughout the course of the afternoon, you will have the opportunity to watch and speak with 22 regional artists who will be drawing, painting, or sculpting in one of the most gorgeous settings in the San Juan Mountains. All of this and the peace of mind that the price of your ticket also includes a generous donation to helping those in need with food, utilities, clothing, shelter, and much more. An of course, all donations, including the cost of your ticket, is tax-deductible.

To join us, please pick an option below:

Please fill out and submit the 2011 AITG Volunteer/Donation form.
OR Click here to download the volunteer/donation form in PDF format.