For families who are in tough financial situations—living below the poverty line or experiencing crises—the holiday season doesn’t always feel like a time to celebrate. Brighten kids’ lives this year by donating holiday gifts through one of these nonprofit organizations, and get your whole family involved in giving.
Denver Santa Claus Shop
Donate new or used toys for kids ages newborn to 11 to stock a giant, temporary Denver “toy store” that’s been operating since 1931. Toys can be dropped off through December 5 at all metro area Denver Mattress stores and Larry H. Miller car dealerships (see website for full list of locations). Qualified parents are invited to shop and are given a 100-point certificate when they arrive, along with a free book. Toys are valued at five to 100 points for easy shopping.
Hope House
Help stock Hope House’s Christmas store, where teen moms will shop for their kids using participation points they have earned all year long. Visit the website for a list of items, then deliver gifts to the open house on December 5, 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Or, assemble a Christmas dinner basket and deliver it to Hope Houses’ Resource Center, (9088 Marshall Ct., Westminster), between December 18 and 20. For their Christmas party on December 21, run a craft table for the children of teen moms. Contact theresa.mazza@hopehouseofcolorado.org for details on running a craft table.
KidsGiving365
Register online for the Santa’s Elves holiday event and KidsGiving365 will send you a child’s wish list. Select a time and place to give the child his or her gifts on December 9, and deliver to one of these Denver locations: Trevista Elementary School, 4130 Navajo St.; Rude Recreation Center, 2855 W. Holden Pl.; South Lowell Community Center, 4725 S. Lowell Blvd.
Toys For Tots
Purchase new, unwrapped toys for children in need and drop them off at all Toys R Us and Babies R Us locations. Toys For Tots will collect items on December 15. Cash donations for Toys For Tots can be charged at the register at Toys R Us or Babies R Us, through December 24. Search the website for many other area businesses that support Toys For Tots.
Arvada Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth (AWRSAY)
Donate to AWRSAY’s Santa House by dropping off new, unwrapped toys for children ages newborn to 12 at any Apex Park and Recreation District facility (apexprd.org) through December 15, during the location’s hours of operation. Host a toy drive in your community, and bring gifts directly to Santa House, 11651 W. 64th Ave., Unit B2, Arvada, November 27 to December 2, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and December 5 to 16, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Toys benefit families from 30 Wheat Ridge and Arvada public schools, who are given the opportunity to come in and shop.
Salvation Army
Choose a tag from a Salvation Army Angel Tree located at all area Macy’s stores as well as other businesses (see website). Tags list a child’s name, age, and gift to purchase. Gifts should be brought to the store where you picked up your tag by December 23.
Warren Village
Purchase new, unwrapped gifts for low-income single-parent families. Gifts are needed for both parents and children. Donations are set up at a local church, and families are invited to come in and shop. Drop off gifts at 1300 Gilpin St., Denver, on the following days/times: December 4, noon to 6 p.m.; December 6, 1 to 7 p.m.; December 8, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
