Intermountain / Colorado

Relief for Marshall Fire victims

Wendy Anderson | February 17, 2022
USTA Intermountain Executive Director Rob Scott surveys what is left of his home of 30 years on Dec. 31, 2021. (Photo courtesy of Rob Scott)

 

 

Abby Scott ran home to her Louisville, Colorado house to fix some soup for a sick friend the afternoon of Dec. 30, 2021. Thirty minutes later, her entire neighborhood was engulfed in flames from what would soon become the most destructive fire in Colorado history in terms of property loss.

 

Nearly 1,100 residences in Boulder County were destroyed that day as the now infamous Marshall Fire raged across drought-parched grasses propelled by 100 mph winds.

 

“Boulder County has had a lot of grass fires lately so when we first heard about this one, it was no big deal,” said Abby’s husband, Rob Scott, Executive Director of USTA Intermountain Section who was in Denver for meetings the morning the blaze started.

 

Friends alerted Abby to a neighborhood evacuation order and she grabbed the Scotts’ Goldendoodle, Tica, their passports and her skis. Abby considers herself one of the lucky ones. Two residents lost their lives that day and many others were not able to rescue beloved pets. Entire neighborhoods were reduced to ash. The Scotts home of 30-years was burned to the ground. 

USTA Intermountain and Colorado leaders were on hand to greet Marshall Fire victims at an open house at the Boulder location of Game-Set-Match, Inc. on Feb. 4, 2022. (Photo credit: Kurt Desautels, USTA Colorado)

 

 

“We were all heartbroken by the fires in Boulder and the resulting devastation, said Fritz Garger, Executive Director of the USTA Colorado District. "So many people lost everything as houses were completely destroyed. We wanted to do something for all those impacted and identified nearly 30 avid players and USTA League participants impacted by the fires, including Rob and Abby.”  

 

Partnering with USTA National and USTA Intermountain, the Colorado office organized funds for Marshall Fire victims and partnered with local tennis retailers Game-Set-Match, Inc. (GSM) and Rocky Mountain Tennis Center (RMTC) to issue vouchers to be used at either facility for tennis equipment, clothes, accessories and/or shoes.

 

“We know our sport has so many inherent benefits, including the emotional and physical release tennis can provide and an opportunity to connect with family and friends on a court,” Garger added. “This collaboration is an example of what all our organizations are about — people, and caring for people! While we realize this is just a small token, we know getting people back on the court can be invaluable.”

 

"After we received word of the homes lost by some of our tennis family, Rocky Mountain Tennis Center immediately provided shoes and equipment to get players back on the courts,” said Duke Paluch, executive director of RMTC. 

 

The fire came within a half-mile of Paluch’s own home and he feels extremely fortunate it was spared.

 

“We know how much tennis, especially the social aspects of the game, mean to players. It was great to see the USTA and Game-Set-Match. assist those affected as well," Paluch said.

 

 

Windy Cook checks out new racquets with Boulder Game-Set-Match Inc. store Manager David Henderson. (Photo credit: Wendy Anderson, USTA Intermountain)

 

 

Louisville resident and avid USTA Leagues player Windy Cook wasn’t at home when the fire broke out. With only a few minutes to spare, her husband ran into their house to grab his wife’s most prized possession … her tennis racquet. Cook says she’s been grateful for that ever since.

 

“When I play tennis, I can let go of some anxiety and clear my head,” she said. “I have a cousin in California who also plays tennis. As soon as she heard we had lost our home, her tennis club collected a big box of tennis supplies and sent them to us. The outpouring of love and support from the tennis community has really helped keep us going.”

 

Rob Scott agreed.

 

“During the pandemic, I found tennis incredibly therapeutic to help me deal with stress,” he said. “Now, with this unimaginable tragedy upon us, tennis and skiing are our go-to therapies to help my wife and me cope.”

 

 “People have been very gracious and so appreciative of the help,” said Adam Burbary, owner of Game-Set-Match, Inc. “The tennis community here really sticks together.”

 

Burbary has personally met many victims who have come in to redeem their vouchers at the multiple locations of GSM in greater Denver. 

 

“They are excited to have something fun as a distraction,” he added. “As a Denver retailer, people here have supported us as we’ve grown by shopping locally. Now we have the opportunity to support them. It’s very rewarding.”

 

 

USTA members who lost their homes in the Marshall Fire have been redeeming vouchers for new tennis equipment at local retailers including Game-Set-Match, Inc. and Rocky Mountain Tennis Center pro shop. (Photo credit: Wendy Anderson, USTA Intermountain)

 

 

Bruce Bennett got emotional as he reminisced about the days shortly following the fire.

 

“I was playing in a pick-up match and two female tennis players I’ve never met showed up to ask me what they could help me with. ‘Food, clothing, anything you need,’” he said, choking back tears. “I would have never in a million years expected such kindness from complete strangers.”

 

“The USTA and everyone have been so kind and generous,” said Janet Andrews, an avid player and resident of Spanish Hills in greater unincorporated Boulder west of Louisville. Janet, 78, and her husband, Jim, 80, lived next door to their daughter whose house was also completely destroyed. 

 

“At our ages, rebuilding would be tough,” Janet explained. “But Susan (the Andrews’s daughter and also a former player) and her family hope to rebuild, even though it will take three or four years.” 

 

Susan’s family lived in the Hotel Boulderado with their 15-year-old daughter for three weeks after the fires, Janet added. “You’d think that would be a luxury at any other time,” she laughed. “Let’s just say that the start of 2022 was not overly kind to our family.”

 

Janet doesn’t play competitive tennis anymore but is looking forward to getting back to her regularly scheduled block times and the court comradery with her friends at Millennium Harvest House. 

 

“The best gift I was ever given was learning to play tennis with my mom when I was 8-years-old,” she concluded. “Tennis will always be part of our lives. Now we just have to settle into our new lives! Just knowing people are thinking of us and sending good thoughts our way helps tremendously!”

 

Many of the victims, including the Scotts, have “Go Fund Me” accounts set up to help them rebuild. For more information, click HERE and search for individual recipients. The Community Foundation has also set up a Boulder County Wildfire Fund to help families rebuild.

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