The Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce Foundation has set up a Sheridan Area Employee Relief Fund (SAERF) to help those who work in Sheridan County suffering loss from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Dixie Johnson, CEO of the Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce, said, “100% of donations will be used to provide emergency cash to people who have experienced hardship.”

The program’s purpose is to provide gap funding for households to purchase necessities like food, gas, rent, utilities and other expenses during the COVID-19 crisis.

Initial donations to the fund have been granted from local foundations, businesses and individuals. Additional donations are requested to provide funds to as many families as possible.

“Everyone who donates to this fund will immediately be helping our friends and neighbors in Sheridan County,” Johnson added. “No donation is too small, and all are tax deductible.”

Beginning the week of April 6, Sheridan area employees may apply for a grant at www.sheridanwyomingchamber.org.

Applicants must be at least 18 years old and be recently employed by a business in Sheridan County. To make the funds last as long as possible, only one person per household is asked to apply.

Approved applicants are eligible for $250 and may apply every 30 days.

“We are working to increase awareness and financial support to grow the fund. For now, it doesn’t have an unlimited budget,” Johnson said.

A committee will award grants based on the following criteria:
• Must be a resident of Sheridan County
• Must have been or are currently employed by a Sheridan County business
• Must have experienced some sort of hardship due to COVID-19
• Special consideration will be given to employees with children under the age of 18 living at home

Donations can be made via PayPal at www.sheridanwyomingchamber.org or checks made payable to the Sheridan County Chamber of Commerce Foundation, ATTN: SAERF may be mailed to P.O. Box 707, Sheridan, WY, 82801.