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Telmosse giveaway draws record crowd
What does it take to stage a holiday giveaway for 10,000 people?
For starters: 3,000 pounds of potatoes; 465 bicycles; 3,500 little cartons of milk and juice; 2,000 5-pound chickens; 500 volunteers; thousands of grocery bags filled with canned goods, bread, pasta and other non-perishables. And enough toys and books to stock a big-box-sized space.
The 27th annual Bob Telmosse Christmas Giveaway had all that and more Monday, and all people had to do was show up at The Citadel mall. It’s a hallmark of the giveaway — need is not a requirement. But patience is, especially on a day that drew a record crowd.
People started lining up at midnight, and by 9 a.m., the line reached from the east entrance of the Burlington Coast Factory, snaked around the north side of the store, then around a wall into the lower lot near the Food Court.
Those at the end of the line were told they’d have a four-hour wait to get inside, but 25-year-old Robert Meade was in for the long haul. Unemployed for two years and struggling to make ends meet, he was there for food.
“You gotta do what you gotta do, and you gotta have food,” said Meade.
Inside the mall, families were greeted by volunteers who escorted them into a space that had been transformed into a shopper’s paradise, especially for kids. The kids loaded up on stuffed animals, books, toys and games, then entered an area where they could pick out something for their parents and have it wrapped by volunteers.
Seven-year-old Joshua Felder beamed as he hugged a box that was almost as long as he is tall. Inside the box: an impressively large, colorful Tonka truck.
“This is the grand prize,” he said, holding it up like a trophy.
Organizers say some people take advantage of the giveaway, but most are in need. There were single parents with their kids; people who had been unemployed for several years; and parents who were working but not making enough to cover much more than rent.
“I bet 90 percent of these people are down on their luck,” said volunteer Don Berg.
Police and security people reported few problems, but tempers boiled when some people broke in line.
“Everybody gets tired after three or four hours in line, and they’re going through hard times,” said Michael Lopez of the Bob Telmosse Foundation board of directors. “I remind them, it’s all about the kids, not the adults.”
Carol Reinert, vice president of the foundation, said 7,000 children and about 3,000 adults attended, and there were enough toys and non-perishable food for everyone, thanks to last-minute cash donations that let organizers rush out to get $3,000 in toys and $1,600 in groceries. But 600 to 800 people were too late to get frozen turkeys, whole chickens and ham.
“I just couldn’t believe it. I’ve never seen that many people,” she said.
FREE CHRISTMAS MEALS/EVENTS
Wednesday
“Best Christmas Ever”: Two-hours’ play time, gift for children, winter clothing, blankets, sleeping bags and boxes of food, 8 a.m.-9 p.m., Mr. Biggs, 5825 Mark Dabling Road, free. Registration required: mysrm.org or 632-1822.
Thursday
“Christmas for All”: 11 a.m.-1 p.m., City Auditorium, 221 E. Kiowa St. Free shuttle service between the City Auditorium and New Hope Shelter, Marian House Soup Kitchen, Express Inn, 725 W Cimarron St., and Rodeway Inn, 1623 S. Nevada Ave., free; mysrm.org or 632-1822.
Friday
The Salvation Army community holiday dinners: 10:30 a.m.-3 p.m., City Hall, 602 Manitou Ave., Manitou Springs; The Salvation Army, 908 Yuma St.; Fountain Valley Senior Center, 5725 Southmoor Drive, Fountain; New Song Christian Fellowship, 5515 Palmer Park Blvd.; The Salvation Army Canteen, 1205 Potter Drive; The Marian House, 14 W. Bijou St.; free. For ride to dinners or meal delivery, call 636-5266.
Christmas Day Dinner: 3 p.m., Antlers Park, 31 W. Pikes Peak Ave., free; 494-9912 or www.thestreetchurch.com.
