DOUGLAS / ELBERT
TASK FORCE

 Assisting the Community with Compassion
 

Santa's Sharing
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Santa’s Sharing		  
more info:
Santa's Sharing Info/Flyer
 
       
Sponsor a Family  Santa's Sharing Info/Flyer     Santa’s Sharing Q&A   print Q&A
       
The holiday season can be particularly difficult for families facing severe financial challenges.

The Santa’s Sharing holiday program connects sponsors with families in Douglas or Elbert counties. Through the generosity of people like you, people willing to open your hearts and provide the resources necessary to make the holiday possible for those less fortunate.

There are several ways to participate:

DIRECT SPONSORSHIP Eligible needy families register with the Task Force providing a list of family members and their interests. The list is shared with sponsors who purchase and deliver the gifts. Sponsors specify the size family they want based on their ability to provide gifts. Often groups of friends or co-workers go in together to share the cost and fun. It is our hope that donors will provide at least 2 gifts for each child.

INDIRECT SPONSORSHIP In an Indirect Sponsorship you obtain a wish list for a family then determine how much you would spend based on their list and purchase one large gift card (or several small ones) from a super store such as Target (a store that carries food, clothing and toys). This allows the parents to purchase the specific items they like.

TOY CHEST Donate new toys to the Toy Chest (a list can be provided). Each year there are families who cannot be sponsored. They don’t have a permanent address, are not reachable by phone or come into the program late. For these families we collect new, unwrapped gifts for the Toy Chest. Volunteers select 2-3 gifts for each child and provide parents with gift cards. Wrapping papers, tape and ribbon are also needed. Please deliver toys BEFORE Dec. 8th. Families will pick up gifts beginning December 13th.

CASH OR GIFT CARDS Cash donations or gift cards received for the Santa’s Sharing Program are combined with gifts from the Toy Chest to provide a family with a nice holiday. Gift cards are especially helpful for seniors or families with teens. Please mail or deliver gift cards before December 8th. Some families have more need for cash to help with bills, gas or food. Staff determine which families these are. Young children are provided with gifts from the Toy Chest and the parents receive gift cards or other assistance.

The Santa’s Sharing program is a source of happiness, joy and satisfaction for all involved, and with the help of the community it is always a huge success. If you have questions regarding your participation please contact Kathy D’Amore at kathyDA@detaskforce.org  (subject line: Santa) or 303-688-1114 or Nani Lindig at Nani1674@aol.com  (subject line: Santa) or 720-939-1011 (cell)		    

I have small children I want to include what do you recommend?

Let us know that you would like a family with children close to that age. Then, include your children in the shopping, wrapping and delivery of the gifts and wishing the client children a Merry Christmas.

Can we meet the family we sponsor?

Yes. Once we provide the client Christmas wish list we want to step out of the picture and you be the Sharing Santa. You will contact the family and deliver their wrapped gifts on a date/time agreed to between the both of you.

I would like to participate but don’t have the time to shop or deliver gifts, how can we help?

Refer to the brochure sections INDIRECT SPONSORSHIP or CASH OR GIFT CARDS. We suggest gift card denominations of $25 or $50.
 

We are seniors on a limited income, can we sponsor a single senior?

Absolutely. Be sure to indicate that in the COMMENTS section of the sponsor application. You may also indicate the amount you wish to spend so we can better match that to the “wishes” of the senior client.
 

I’m uncomfortable meeting a family but would like to help.

You could do a DIRECT SPONSORSHIP, purchase gifts for the TOY CHEST or provide CASH or GIFT CARDS. We use the cash to purchase additional gift cards, as needed. Refer to the brochure on how each of these programs works.
 

Our company would like to allot $1500 to sponsor a family or families. How would this

work?

If you are willing to shop, wrap and deliver gifts indicate this amount in the COMMENTS section of the application. Based on a per person expenditure of $50 more or less, we will find a large family or a couple of families for you. Alternatively, we could provide you a list of toys we feel the TOY CHEST will need and you can purchase and deliver the UNWRAPPED gifts to our office by December 8th.
 

Our church would like to sponsor 40 people, is this doable?

Yes and thank you. Last year sponsors provided gifts for 233 families, that equates to approximately 1000 individuals.
 

When can we expect to receive the application for a family to sponsor?

We start accepting CLIENT applications in mid-November and will provide a match, based on your application criteria, just as fast as we can.
 

What is the biggest hurdle YOU have doing this program?

Finding enough sponsors able to communicate and sponsor our Spanish speaking clients.


What if I have other questions?
The preferred mode of communication is by email to Nani1674@aol.com . You can also call Kathy at the Douglas/Elbert Task Force at 303-688-1114.

 

 

Client Services,
Food Bank and
Administration:
1638 Park Street
Castle Rock CO 80109
 PH:  303-688-1114
FX:  720/382-1249
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Client Service Hours
Mon-Fri 9am-12 noon

Food Bank Hours
 Mon-Fri 9am-12 noon
Last food order
taken at 11:45 am

Thrift Store, Treasures
on Park Street:
 1638 Park St.
 Castle Rock, CO 80104
Store Hours: 9-4, Mon-Sat
Thrift Donations:
9-3, Mon-Sat
Thrift Phone:
303-688-6129
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