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Boys & Girls Clubs Kick Off Holiday Season

Denver, Colo (CBS4) - The Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver kicked off the holiday season with a huge turkey dinner. As the kids look forward to Christmas, CBS4 is partnering with King Soopers to collect toys for them during the Care 4 Colorado Campaign.

The holiday feast included turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, green beans, gravy, cranberry sauce, bread and, of course, pumpkin pie. All served up by the South Monaco Optimist Club in a tradition that stretches back 30 years.

"It unites all the clubs together so we set sports aside and just come together and eat, " said Eric Medrano, 15, a 5-year member of the J. Churchill Owen Branch.

All Boys & Girls Club members were invited including their families – making it a meal for 850. A meal that means a lot of a membership of which 81% qualify for free and reduced school lunch.

"They leave all their fears, all their worries behind and they can come here for an evening and just have some turkey with us. It's great," said Owen Branch Manager, Steve Martinez.

It's a great start to the holiday season. A time when these kids imaginations are sparked by Santa Claus and Christmas kindness.

"I think it's still that age where it's still a magical time," Martinez said of the membership which includes children ages 6 to 18.

Many of the members and their families will rely on the Boys & Girls Clubs to make this time magical.

"A lot of kids don't have that advantage of parents getting them gifts so here they feel happy by getting gifts," Medrano said.

We're hoping you'll help make the magic this year with the donation of a new toy to the Care 4 Colorado campaign. The donation bins are located in all King Soopers stores through December 31st.

- Written for the Web by CBS4 Special Projects Producer Libby Smith

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