10 Ways to Help During the Holidays
It’s Colorado Gives Day! Giving back to people without family, friends and some of the wonderful things that make Christmas, Hanukkah and Kwanzaa so special is doubly important this time of year.
There are lots of opportunities near the master-planned community of Crystal Valley to volunteer time, resources and your smiling face to those who need a little holiday cheer! (This touching video about caring and sharing that’s making the rounds this season should inspire us all!)
We combined some volunteering ideas from local charities and nonprofits so you can choose one and make a difference this season for someone in Castle Rock and beyond!
Seniors in Castle Rock
The Senior Center in Castle Rock is run by five full-time and one part-time staffer who rely on volunteers to fill in the gaps, especially with transporting seniors! They provide meals to seniors on-site Tuesdays Thursdays and Fridays and could use help serving and cleaning up. They could also use more shuttle drivers to help seniors and adults with disabilities get to the grocery store, bank, doctor’s appointments, and other local businesses. Pick a day you could be giving back from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., sign up, and spread some cheer!
Colorado Gives
This is an annual statewide movement to celebrate and increase philanthropy to help people throughout the year. Check out the Castle Rock page here.
Stocking Stuffers Needed
The folks at Littleton Care and Rehabilitation are looking for stockings and stocking donations for their residents. Things like sample size toiletries, lotions, spray or roll-on perfume, candies, dried fruit, nuts, fuzzy socks, handmade or purchased crafts are all welcome. Unfortunately, they can’t accept homemade food items, but anything store-bought is fine!
Winter Blanket Gift Drive!
The Julia Temple Healthcare Center could put your sewing, knitting or crocheting talents to good use by making lap blankets for their residents this holiday season! Many residents in the center do not have family or friends to brighten their holiday with gifts, so if you can provide a blanket (3’x4’) in any style, the staff are collecting right up until Christmas!
Basket of Joy
Over 1,000 Basket of Joy volunteers come together on Saturday, December 10 to assemble 5,280 holiday fruit baskets and deliver them to low-income seniors or seniors who might not have visitors for the holidays. Click here to sign up or find more information about Basket of Joy.
Respite Help
Did you know there are 162,000 children between the ages of 12 months and 12 years with special needs? Imagine all the parents who could use some relief in caring for their special kiddos and their siblings? Night Lights Kids makes it happen! You’ll need a background check to get involved, but what a great way to donate some time now and into the New Year.
Christmas Day Meals on Wheels Delivery
Bring a friend, a spouse or your entire family and spend an hour or two delivering hot, nutritious meals to homebound seniors on Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25. Contact TLC Meals on Wheels to volunteer.
Giving Back to a Senior
More than 50 percent of elderly seniors never receive any visitors, so find someone in a nearby care facility and make their holiday season special! You can read to them or bring a gift (here are some fun and practical ideas).
And since many facilities offer memory care, if you have musical talent, research shows music can tap into the buried memories of persons with memory challenges. Here’s a list of time-honored Christmas carols and popular holiday tunes, as well as patriotic songs and hymns to practice playing and singing!
Bonaventure Senior Living, 1855 Low Meadow Blvd., Castle Rock, 303-681-3751
Solterra, 4001 Home Street, Castle Rock, 303-688-3174
Help Homeless Pets
Volunteer some time to befriend a lonely cat or dog this holiday season. Colorado Animal Welfare needs volunteers to transport animals to adoption events, foster care providers, and adoption liaisons. They also need help with their monthly newsletter. (And, you can donate toward spay/neuter services!) Call them at 720-515-2295, or email volunteer@coloradoanimalwelfare.org for more information.
Other Giving Opportunities
The holiday bell ringers can always use your spare change, plus, here are a couple of more purposeful ways to give to causes that count.
The Salvation Army
Each holiday season, The Salvation Army amps up its fundraising efforts to help support the elderly, the homeless and other underserved populations. Find out how you can get involved with the Salvation Army’s work.
American Red Cross
“Give something that means something” when you get involved with the American Red Cross’ campaign. Check out the list of charitable opportunities, which include vaccinating a child and buying phone cards for troops.
Toys for Tots
Marines’ Toys for Tots Foundation collects gifts for children who come from economically disadvantaged families. If you don’t have a drop-off center near you, consider starting your own. Find out how you can get involved.
Your Crystal Valley Neighborhood
Residents of Crystal Valley and the community of Castle Rock outdo one another in giving back. If you’d like to make your home here, the new home designs from Richmond American Homes feature ranch and two-story models in our master-planned community, close to all the activities and attractions of downtown Castle Rock. Priced from the $300s.
