St. Christopher's Highway debuts in Carbon County

Traveling on I 80 can be a challenge regardless of the season, but winter is always an issue. People can be stranded for hours or even days in Rawlins, stretching visitors and the city to the limit.

St. Christopher's Highway of Carbon County is a coalition of churches, nonprofits and government entities organized by Reverend Bobbe Fitzhugh of St. Thomas Episcopal Church. Fitzhugh had a conversation with Rawlins Police Chief Mike Ward when she first arrived last May that sparked the idea for the organization. Fitzhugh said, "there's a similar entity in Sweetwater County which does the same thing. I thought the idea was great". St. Christopher's Highway was incorporated as a nonprofit in June of this year and began serving people in September.

The organization can provide stranded travelers with lodging in Rawlins, fuel through Sinclair gas stations, clothes through the Choir Loft Thrift Shop and a wide variety of food options including Mike's Big City Bar & Grill. Resources can be accessed by calling 307-321-6688.

Recently, a program was developed called Blessing Bags. Fitzhugh said Ilene Miller of the Latter Day Saints Church, along with a subcommittee, creates bags which can be given to every member of a family to get them through an emergency situation. Whether stranded due to weather or after a vehicle accident, the bags provide necessities. Age appropriate bags are created including diapers, coloring books, toys, socks, toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Saturday, October 22 was the first time these bags were assembled. Twenty five volunteers showed up to work at the Latter Day Saints church. All of the items for the bags were donated by eight Rawlins Churches.

Fitzhugh said they initially received $46,000 from the Foundation for the Episcopal Church of Wyoming as seed money. These funds can be used to help with lodging, food, fuel and even vehicle repairs.

Fitzhugh also said donations are welcome and can be received through St. Thomas Episcopal Church which houses the office for St. Christopher's Highway of Carbon County.

The formation of this coalition helps alleviate the stress of those in need by having a single phone number to call. With St. Christopher's Highway in place, church leaders can refer travelers in need to a central location. This will also eliminate the possibility of "gaming the system".

The Rawlins Police Department will also be involved and provide background checks on individuals when necessary.