Folk-rock sensations The Avett Brothers helped raise over $50,000 in donations for Colorado wildfire victims at their two sold-out concerts at Red Rocks Amphitheatre this past weekend.  Denver-based concert promoter Don Strasburg from AEG Live called the band's agent as the wildfires took their horrific toll, and suggested that since The Avett Brothers would have two full-houses at Red Rocks, "we might be able to raise a little money and help out those in need."  The band donated tickets to radio station KBCO, who auctioned them off along with a backstage meet & greet with the Avetts and Governor John Hickenlooper.  Then Strasburg suggested that they pass some large rubber fireman's boots around each night as well.  After the second song of their set each night, Scott Avett stopped the show, held up a boot, and encouraged the crowd to "help out some folks out there who really need it."  Each band member stuffed some cash into the boot, and passed it off the front of the stage to AEG volunteers, who then grabbed more boots and slowly started climbing the 192 terraced steps at Red Rocks, inviting each person there to contribute what they could.  "The generosity of the audience was amazing" remarked Avett.  "There was a huge mound of cash at the end of each night, and not just ones, fives and tens, but twenties, fifties and hundreds!  Someone even dropped a small metal angel in one boot… it brought a tear to everyone's eyes in the room when it rolled out on the table.  But really, there were 18,000 angels at Red Rocks this weekend helping their neighbors."  
The money has been donated to the Red Cross and the Colorado Fire Relief Fund 2012.  Individuals, foundations and corporations may contribute major or combined gifts through the Colorado Fire Relief Fund 2012 at The Denver Foundation. These funds will be administered and distributed by a committee of community foundation executives appointed by the governor.