Dear friends,

On behalf of our resident families, we’re thankful for two big events in the past week…

Colorado Gives

You gave over $106,000 to provide Housing That Heals. We’re thrilled! Last year’s total was just under $87k, and our needs will increase significantly for 2024. We wondered… is a $100k goal too much to ask or hope for, in this year’s Colorado Gives Day campaign? You responded—141 of you opened your hearts and wallets with gifts ranging from $5 to $15,000. Every single dollar will have a generation-changing impact in our resident families. And in turn, it’s a gift for the world they will bless as they heal and thrive.

If you missed your chance and still wish to give, we welcome your donations here. It’s important that we finish the calendar year strong as we prepare for this work in 2024. 

Christmas Store

Wow what a wonderful time last Saturday, as we shared earlier. After some counting, I’ll share just a bit more: Our 33^rd Annual Store, and second since the pandemic lockdown, was a bustle of 125 volunteers helping 95 shoppers buy gifts for 320 kids. Smiling faces everywhere you could turn!

Thanks to your great generosity, there was lavishly enough.

• Enough gifts—even last-wave shoppers had a big selection of all-age gifts you sent, brought, and donated for.
• Enough volunteers—welcome center, hospitality room, childcare room, wrapping room, shopper’s helpers, checkout gang, parking crew, and the all-important “runners.”
• You created an experience of dignity—moms, dads, and grandparents paid (typically with 75% discount) for gifts they could now provide for their own children.

Since our shoppers are current and former residents, the Store serves as a grand annual reunion. (Not to mention among new and longtime volunteers, some going back decades.) Hugs, hugs.

Special thanks to Kira Leefers, our volunteer and events coordinator who led such a successful Store team, and day, despite never having seen it before. (Kira joined us in February.) Kira says,” I love how much joy the Christmas Store brings to shoppers, but also to those volunteering to make it such a special day for others. It’s the gift that just keeps giving!

“One of my favorite memories from this year was getting to know [former resident and longtime Store team member] Rhonda Fowler. She was such a joy to work alongside during the weeks leading up to the Christmas Store! I feel like a made a lifelong friend!”

Rhonda sent Kira an email after the store, saying, “I would like to thank you again from the bottom of my heart for letting me work with you on the store preparations. It means so much to me to be a part of it and especially to work with you on your first time ever working it or even seeing it. I feel very honored to have been a part of it. Again, thank you so much Kira, you are such an amazing lady and so easy to work with. I just love you and loved working with you.” 

Kira and Rhonda are just two of countless people joined for life by the Christmas Store. The Store, in turn, is just one more gift of friendship and community we’re all creating together. It’s sure worth celebrating during this meaningful season.