The 2019 Joyful Givers Christmas Program just wrapped up for the season…pun intended 😊. Thanks to the generous support of many sponsors and volunteers, we were able to bring Christmas cheer to the faces of 137 children from 50 local families this year. In total, we received more than $5,000 in monetary donations and dispersed over 500 gifts. In addition to gifts of clothing, toys, and games, we also purchased 98 pairs shoes and boots through the partnership with Rack Room Shoes in Castle Rock. Additionally, each family went home with a gift card to either City Market, Safeway, Mountain Food Market.
Joyful Givers wishes to thank the many individuals and businesses that assisted with this year’s program. Without the support of the community, this program would not be such a success. Our gratitude goes out to everyone that sponsored a gift, a child, or a family. Not only did we have many individual sponsors, we also had several organizational sponsors as well. We whole-heartedly thank Changes Thrift Store, Henderson Mine and Mill, and Winter Park Christian Church for sponsoring an overwhelming number of gifts. A special thanks also goes to Dahlia Ruiz, the Christian Motorcycle Association, East Grand School District, Granby Library, Grand Fire Protection District #1, Mountain Family Center acting on behalf of Grand Angels, Trinity Church in the Pines, and Winter Park Police Department for all their support and sponsorship. Lastly, we wish to thank the volunteers that spent many days wrapping, organizing, and preparing gifts for delivery.
Our program helped 50 families this year, but it is only one of several holiday giving programs in the community. There are many families facing hardships in Grand County. If this story touched your heart and sparked a desire to help others in need, consider contacting Mountain Family Center or any of the food banks in the county. If you wish to help with next year’s Joyful Givers program, please contact Katlin at joyfulgiversgrandcounty@gmail.com or 970-531-0127 to be added to our contact list.
We will leave you with one last quote: “Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn’t before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!” ― Dr. Seuss, How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all!
