Care 4 Colorado Collects Toys For Boys & Girls Club Members
DENVER (CBS4) - CBS4's Care 4 Colorado campaign collects new unwrapped toys for children at the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver.
Boys & Girls Clubs are open to all kids for a $2 membership fee every year. There are 15 clubs located in some of the tougher neighborhoods of Denver, Aurora, Jefferson County and Brighton. The clubs serve about 2,000 children every day, ages 6 through 18.
LINK: Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver
"The importance of the Boys & Girls Club is that we become a consistent in their very inconsistent lives. We're there each day after school. The door is going to be open, a hot meal is going to be served, a caring staff is there to help them with homework," said Erin Porteous, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver.
Many parents rely on the clubs as a safe place for their children to go after school, and for the opportunities their children can access at the clubs.
"We're often times serving families where moms and dads are working multiple jobs to make ends meet, so for them to have the safety and security to know that their children are being taken care of each day is so important to help working families across our community," Porteous explained.
At the clubs, students can access homework help, a hot meal, computers, academic and artistic competitions, and organized sports.
"Our three pillars of success that we're focused on at the Boys & Girls Club for every child, from kindergarten all the way to a senior in high school, is to ensure that they're going to be leaders in their community, that they're living a healthy life, and that they're doing well in school," Porteous told CBS4.
For many of these families, the holidays are a stressful time. Christmas is a stretch of an already tight budget, and there is a lot of pressure to make wishes come true.
(credit: CBS)
"'How do I make sure my children have a coat and proper shoes? How do I make sure I can pay my utility bills?' When those are the challenges that our families are facing, they're often not able to think about things like, 'What's the best toy? and 'How do I make sure my child has something to open this holiday season?'" Porteous told CBS4.
For many of these children the toy they get at the Boys & Girls Club will be the only gift they get this holiday season. That's why the Care 4 Colorado Toy Drive is so important.
LINK: Care 4 Colorado Toy Drive
Donation bins are set up at participating King Soopers stores, as well as the CBS4 studios at 1044 Lincoln Street and the iHeart Radio studios at 4695 South Monaco Street. The clubs need toys appropriate for children ages 6 to 18, including electronics, games, art supplies, bikes, clothing, anything that can make a young club member grow and have an enriching experience.
"As we look at those teenage years, that 13 to 18 demographic, that can always be a little bit harder to buy for. So this year, we hope that the community will rally together and support Boys & Girls club teens," Porteous added.
Gift cards, clothing, make-up kits, jewelry and sport equipment are good choices for those teen members.
"Often times they know there may not be a gift from Santa. And in those situations, the Boys & Girls Club is there to provide that joy, to provide that time of happiness and cheer, especially during the holiday season." Porteous said.
