Can’d Aid — a nonprofit that provides water to communities post-disaster, aims to make the arts more accessible to underserved children and works towards bettering the environment — is celebrating its 10th anniversary with two volunteer events on Sep. 29.
The Longmont-based nonprofit was founded by Diana Ralston after the flooding tragedy of 2013 in Boulder County. From Sep. 11-15 2013, the county experienced extreme rainfall that led to destructive floodings. Buildings and residential properties suffered damage, as did ecology and open spaces.
In the wake of the flood, Ralston was inspired to kickstart the nonprofit she had been brainstorming for months.
“We were already working on what the nonprofit would look like, but when the flood happened in September of 2013, that’s when we really jumped into action,” Ralston said.
Can’d Aid donated canned water to communities in need during the turbulent months. Ralston explained that the first year of the nonprofit’s existence was solely dedicated to raising money and giving it back to people in need. After flooding repairs began and the community started to heal, Ralston initiated the original intent of the organization — to create programs that encouraged an outdoor lifestyle and inspired ecological stewardship.
Several years later, the nonprofit has various programs, such as Treads and Trails, Music and Arts and Recycling and Sustainability.
Treads and Trails combats screen time and encourages physical activity through the donation of bikes. Can’d Aid raises money all year and recruits volunteers to build the bikes. Those bikes are then donated to children.
Ralston said the events are created in hopes of inspiring people to be part of something larger than themselves.
“It’s just this very simple belief that’s ‘hey if you can help … you should. We all have the ability to do something good and help someone out. Those little acts of kindness really add up,” Ralston said.
Can’d Aid will hold an instrument donation event and a skateboard building event on Sep. 29.
