CONTACT:
Jenn Kostka Beck
jbeck@unitedwaydenver.org
303-263-4561
Companies and Organizations Region-wide Collected Toys and Other Items to Distribute Saturday
DENVER – More than 1,200 children will have new gifts this holiday season, following Mile High United Way’s annual Children’s Holiday Party on Saturday, Dec. 14, 2024, at the organization’s headquarters in Curtis Park. Nearly 500 volunteers helped distribute toys, bikes, laptops and other items to about 500 families who participate in Mile High United Way programs, including 211 Help Center clients.
The need for support over the holidays is greater than ever. According to a Gallup poll, American families plan to spend an average of $1,014 this shopping season, a nearly 10% increase from 2023. That amount isn’t feasible for many Metro Denver families. The timeslots available for families to come to the event filled up almost immediately after they opened up.
“This event is about showing children and families that they are loved by this community,” said Christine Benero, Mile High United Way president and CEO. “We want all children to have presents to open and know that their holiday wishes can come true.”
Over the last four months, companies and organizations across Metro Denver held toy drives and dropped off their collections.
On Saturday, the “toy shop” opened. Children visited the “North Pole” for arts and crafts activities and visits from Santa Claus while parents and caregivers selected gifts to give over the holiday season. Volunteers helped shop, wrapped presents and assisted parents and caregivers in loading their cars.
Children’s Holiday Party sponsors were FirstBank, Suncor, Davis Graham, Crocs, Greenberg Traurig, SM Energy, Mortenson and KPMG Family for Literacy.
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About Mile High United Way
Mile High United Way, the first United Way in the world, was founded in Denver in 1887. Working side by side with the community, Mile High United Way takes on critical human services issues facing our seven-county footprint including the Metro Denver, Boulder and Broomfield communities. Our united approach changes the odds for all children, families and individuals in our community, so that we all can succeed.
Learn more at www.unitedwaydenver.org. Follow us on social media: @UnitedWayDenver.
