Non-Profit

Volunteering with your family at Food Bank of the Rockies during the holidays

As we head into the holiday season, many families choose to spend time together giving back to their neighbors and embracing the values of kindness and compassion to help make other families’ holidays a little bit brighter. Volunteering as a family during the holidays can be a profoundly rewarding experience, as it not only helps people in our communities in need of extra support, but also strengthens the bonds within one’s own family. Volunteering as a family during the holidays can be an excellent opportunity to help children recognize the challenges that other people face and understand how much of an impact they can make by donating their time to support their community. Volunteering at a food bank can be a particularly rewarding experience for people of all ages. In addition to active...

Colorado Gives Day: Teach your kids to give back

What if there was a day that as Coloradans, we got to celebrate the impact of coming together and lifting up our local communities? Luckily for all of us, there is such a day and it is called Colorado Gives Day on Dec. 5, 2023.   Since 2010, you’ve been supporting nonprofits through Colorado Gives Day, raising more than $415 million to help our communities thrive. Easily find all the causes you care about the most at ColoradoGives.org. All donations made between November 1 – December 5 qualify for prizes and incentives. Causes include: animals arts and culture human services housing and shelter environment education food and agriculture mental health and health care civil rights and advocacy Why was this platform brought to life? To enable you to spread goodness around the...

Denver middle schoolers can receive $1,000 for afterschool programs

 In a kids town hall meeting, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston announced My Spark Denver, a new pilot program that will provide 4,000 Denver Public Schools (DPS) middle school students with $1,000 to enroll in afterschool programs. As students enroll in participating programs, My Spark Denver will invest $4 million in after-school activities.  “Many of us have a story about the activities we loved as kids. For me, my spark was soccer and theater. I didn’t become a professional athlete or actor, but the lessons of teamwork and collaboration have stayed with me,” said Mayor Mike Johnston. “While my administration takes on the urgent issues of ending homelessness and ensuring public safety, My Spark Denver addresses many of the underlying causes of these issues by investing in the wellbei...

15 Holiday Toy Drives in Denver: How to Help Colorado Kids

The holidays in Denver can be downright magical and we recently published our Holiday Guide to Fun in Denver with many free activities and light displays. But with the rising costs in Colorado, many of our friends and neighbors are struggling to make ends make. Please join us if you are able in helping make these Colorado kids’ Christmas wishes come true with these Christmas Toy Drives in Denver. Not in the financial position to donate? Many of these wonderful companies are looking for holiday volunteers so be sure to reach out to them. Also, do you want to give back to your favorite non-profit? Consider making your Amazon purchases on AmazonSmile.com, where they will donate 0.5% of your eligible purchases to the charity or school of your choice. Simply go to Your Account, Select Ama...

Urgent need: Denver nonprofit is collecting gently used baby gear

Do you have baby gear you are no longer using?    Local nonprofit, WeeCycle, which collects and provides Colorado families in need with gently used baby gear, formula and diapers, is asking for the community’s help in “gearing up” following a significant increase in demand for its services. On average over the last three months, WeeCycle has seen a 161% increase in the need for cribs, bassinets, pack-and-plays and toddler beds, and a 283% increase in requests for car seats since last year.   To meet the increased demand for these items and others, WeeCycle is asking the community for donations of gently used baby gear and new diapers and formula. Items can be dropped off at any of WeeCycle’s donation locations between Nov. 12-20. Please no toys or baby clothing, as WeeCycle ...

When a child loses a special person: how this Denver non-profit turns pain into hope

Sydney was only seven years old when he lost his father suddenly in a car accident. A bright, happy-go-lucky kid at home and at school, Sydney was cheerful and friendly with classmates and adults alike. After losing his father, Sydney became withdrawn and quiet, as though his spirit had dimmed. He was no longer interested in playing with friends, became disengaged at school, and stopped showing interest in the toys, books and games that he once approached with enthusiasm and joy. He began lashing out at his mom and showing other signs of anger that were uncharacteristic of his personality.  Without intervention, childhood bereavement can have lasting detrimental effects Sydney’s story represents the pain and suffering children can encounter following a significant loss.  As the C...

Help the animals at Ukrainian Zoos with this emergency wildlife fund

Do you love animals and want to help provide emergency assistance to the zoos in Ukraine that have been impacted by the Russian invasion?  The Denver Zoo is raising funds to support the organizations and personnel working in Ukraine and bordering nations that are providing food, transportation, veterinary care and evacuation for the animals, and support for the zookeepers and other staff that continue to care for their animals under extremely dangerous and difficult conditions. Donations can be made here: Denver Zoo Wildlife Emergency Fund   “We’ve all watched in horror as this crisis has unfolded in Ukraine, and our hearts go out to the Ukrainian people,” said Bert Vescolani, President and CEO of Denver Zoo and a council member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums...

How to help Ukraine now in the fight for freedom

Feeling helpless in Putin’s attack on Ukraine? Here are some things you can do NOW to help.   Like many, I have ties to the country. My dad’s family is from Ukraine. They immigrated to Canada and my dad didn’t learn English until his first day of school. He wanted to visit last summer but delayed his trip due to COVID. We have great hope he will be able to return.   On the flipside, Putin’s war is not indicative of Russian hearts. One of my husband’s employees is Russian and has been keeping him updated. Most of the country is horrified at this development and see through the Russian propaganda. Many have family and friends in Ukraine. But how do you stand up to a dictator and his army? Many are trying with their heroic protests.    Ukraine...

Get Free Tickets for Denver Museums & Attractions at the Public Library!

Denver has world-class attractions and museums but visiting them is not always affordable. That’s why we recently published Denver Free Days for 2022 with free access to your favorite family-friendly Denver attractions. Don’t want to battle the crowds on Denver’s free days? We don’t blame you! Here is how you can use your public library card to reserve a day at Denver’s best museums for free. Participating cultural institutions include the Butterfly Pavilion, the Denver Trolley, Denver Zoo, History Colorado Center, the Colorado Railroad Museum, DMNS and more.  Bonus: Love Denver? Keep exploring with the Essential Denver: Discovery and Exploration Guide (many attractions are free!)  Also, scroll down to see our top picks for Denver’s best playgr...

Wreaths Across America: $15 sponsors a wreath for a veteran

December 18, 2021, is National Wreaths Across America Day, the perfect opportunity to not only serve our veterans but to serve as a family. Each December, their mission to Remember, Honor and Teach is carried out by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as at more than 2,500 additional locations in all 50 U.S. states, at sea and abroad. For just $15, you can sponsor a wreath that will be placed on the grave of our Veterans. One of Denver’s participating cemeteries is the Olinger Highland Mortuary and Cemetery in Thornton. Go here for the full list, to sponsor a wreath or volunteer in the wreath-laying ceremony on Wreaths Day.  This Year’s Theme Each year, a new theme is chosen to help volunteers and supporters focus their messaging and...

Denver’s Giving Machines are back: An easy way to pay it forward for the holidays!

Doesn’t the world need a lot of love right now? And goats? And pigs?  Where will Denver’s Giving Machine Be Located? Denver’s Giving Machine’s initiative is “Light the World with Love” and these vending machines are doing just that by providing service with a twist — rather than producing a product following a purchase, the vending-type machines allow an individual to make charitable donations. The vending machines will be available on November 30, 2021, at Writer Square.  What Can I Buy at Denver’s Giving Machine? Each machine features “items” available through global and local charities, including food, clean water, health-care services, shelter, bedding, skills training and educational supplies. The initiative’s ever-popular agri...

Service Saturday: Volunteer as a family with this Colorado non-profit

Are you looking for a way to volunteer in Denver with your entire family? The Colorado nonprofit A Little Help is looking for volunteers to help older adults with yard work at their upcoming Service Saturday! events that are designed to bring the community together in support of older adults. Individuals and groups from the community volunteer to assist older neighbors with their seasonal yard work needs, including raking leaves, cleaning gutters, washing windows, trimming bushes, and much more. This is a great opportunity to get involved and engage in community with your family, friends, or colleagues. Service Saturday! volunteers meet in the morning for coffee and donuts to kick off the day and get yard work assignments and tools, and meet up around noon after completing assignments for ...