Lend a hand for the holidays: Local groups seek your help

HELP FOR THE HOLIDAYS

• “The Best Christmas Ever,” a new holiday collaboration of 20 agencies, is seeking donations of toys, food and clothing. To donate, call 2-1-1 or 955-0742.

• The 27th annual Bob Telmosse Christmas Giveaway is accepting donations of used bikes through Dec. 18 at Ted’s Bicycles, 3016 N. Hancock Ave., or www.santa-bob.org.

• Holiday “Operation Drumstick 10 for 10,” hosted by Springs Rescue Mission, is accepting donations of money and nonperishable food items through Dec. 24 at various locations. Go to mysrm.org or call 632-1822.

• Springs Rescue Mission also will be accepting nonperishable food and warm winter coats from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at two local Sam’s Club stores, 715 S. Academy Blvd. and 1850 E. Woodmen Road. Items needed include nonperishable food items, new or good used winter coats and holiday meal fixings. Go to http://www.mysrm.org or call 632-1822.

• Food items for Care and Share will be collected through Sunday at all Colorado Springs Walgreens locations and the Guitar Center at 535 N. Academy Blvd. For information, call Brian Franks, 570-1618.

• The Salvation Army’s Fill-A-Stocking program is accepting donations of gifts for newborns to teenagers through Dec. 14. For information, call Shannon, 884-1063.

• Crossfire Ministries is collecting holiday food donations for Thanksgiving baskets, and donations of gifts, such as large-print books and magazines, stationery, hand cream and afghans, for local nursing home residents. Drop off food contributions from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 17-19 at 307 N. Union Blvd. or call 650-4152 to make other arrangements.

• Donations of nonperishable food items and gently used clothes are being accepted for the “Feast of Friendship” Thanksgiving holiday meal being held Nov. 26 in Manitou Springs. Volunteers are also needed. Donations may be dropped off at The Dulcimer Shop, 740 Manitou Ave.; Manitou Police Department, 606 Manitou Ave.; and the Post Office on Canon Avenue. To volunteer, call Andy, 634-5999.

• The fourth annual Santa on Patrol is accepting new, unwrapped toys for children in the Tri-Lakes area. Drop off donations by Dec. 16 to the Monument Police Department, 6645 Beacon Lite Road, Monument, or Tri-Lakes Monument Fire Department, 18650 Highway 105, Monument. For information, call Chief Shirk, 884-8032.

• Land’s End at Sears at the Chapel Hills Mall, 1650 Briargate Blvd., is collecting used coats for the nationwide “Big Warm-Up” campaign through Nov. 30. Go to www.landsend.com.

• MOMS Club, Colorado Springs North Chapter, will collect clean, gently used coats and jackets as part of the ”One Warm Coat” community service project from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 5 during the Holiday Extravaganza, Sundance Mountain Lodge, 1865 Woodmoor Drive. Go to http://www.cosnorthmomsclub.com or call 510-9814.

• Local police stations are collecting toys to benefit several organizations, including Teens with Promise and Christmas Unlimited.

• Gazette Charities’ Empty Stocking Fund wants to raise $1 million by Jan. 15 to benefit 14 local nonprofit organizations. Go to www.Fillanemptystocking.org.

If you are associated with an organization or business that is looking for community assistance to help the needy during the holidays, e-mail your information, along with a contact phone number, to carlotta.olson@gazette.com  or fax to 636-0202. The listing will run weekly in The Gazette.