Chances are, you are reading this column when Christmas is less than one week away. If you still have shopping to do, or perhaps all of your shopping to do, fear not. Your timing is perfect because your last-minute purchases can make a lasting impact on local nonprofits and the people they serve. Here are a few ideas to make you a super Santa this Christmas.
Mount Evans Calendars and Angels Make Perfect Gifts
The 2022 Seasons of Our Mountains Calendar, which features stunning images of our natural surroundings, is on sale at the Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice office at 3081 Bergen Peak Drive, online at mtevans.org, and at several participating retail shops in our mountain area. The Evergreen Camera Club was instrumental in selecting the pictures for each month to showcase the beauty of Mount Evans’ service area of Clear Creek, Gilpin, Jefferson and Park counties.
Your purchase of a calendar will help Mount Evans provide compassion, care and comfort to mountain residents during their most fragile moments. Proceeds fund home health, palliative and hospice care, and programs that provide emotional support for family and friends who are grieving, serving as caregivers, or managing illness or injury.
Other ways to raise funds for Mount Evans come on the wings of angels. You can purchase a handcrafted angel made by a group of dedicated volunteers to honor a loved one or to add to your holiday treasures. You can also visit the Evergreen Gallery downtown and select a one-of-a-kind angel pendant. The 2021 Evergreen Angel is named Joy. She joins a host of angelic charms that have been a Christmas tradition since 1993, with a portion of the sales designated for the continuing good works of Mount Evans. More information is available at mtevans.org.
Support Our Four-Legged Friends Through the EAPL Thrift Store
When you make a purchase at the Evergreen Animal Protective League thrift store, you are doing your part to protect animals who need a permanent home. In its 40th year, EAPL has been rescuing and placing animals in foster homes until they find their forever families. The nonprofit relies on revenue from the thrift store, which has a variety of merchandise from housewares to clothing to pet supplies and gift items.
Located at 27888 Meadow Drive, the store is open from 10 am – 5 pm Monday through Friday, and 10 am – 4 pm on Saturday. The shop’s Facebook page updates information on the latest sales and featured items. For more information on EAPL, visit eapl.com.
Check Out the Queen’s Wardrobe and Help Area Seniors
Just west of Evergreen in Idaho Springs, Project Support provides senior services for residents in the Clear Creek County area. The nonprofit partners with Volunteers of America to offer hot lunches Monday-Friday, low-cost senior housing, and a senior center. To offset the cost of these activities, Project Support operates the Queen’s Wardrobe Thrift Shop, which sells clothing, jewelry, pet supplies, kitchenware, linens, home décor and accessories. All profits from the shop, which is located in the lower level of 1402 Miner Street, are used to supplement housing costs for senior apartment residents.
The Queen’s Wardrobe welcomes donations from the community to maintain its inventory, and it is staffed by volunteers. The shop is open Thursday-Saturday 10 am – 5 pm and donations are accepted Fridays and Saturdays from 10 am – 3 pm. For more information about the shop and Project Support, go to projectsupportseniorcenter.com.
Make a Stop at the Mountain Resource Center Resale Store in Conifer
If you have not visited the MRC Resale Store in a while, you are in for a treat in its recently refreshed, welcoming environment. You will enjoy browsing hundreds of affordable items including gently used men’s, women’s and children’s clothing, kitchen supplies, artwork, home goods, jewelry and a variety of CDs, DVDs, books and games. As you add presents to your shopping bag, you will feel good knowing that 100 percent of your total purchase goes to MRC’s community programs and services.
For 30 years, MRC has met the basic needs of residents struggling with rent payments, lacking enough food for their families, and managing other emergency situations. Early childhood education classes, health services and veterans programs are other vital services offered by MRC. The Resale Store is located at 10875 US Highway 285, Suite D206. Hours are Thursday-Saturday from noon – 6 pm. Donations are accepted on Fridays and Saturdays from noon – 4 pm.
EChO Resale Is Stocked and Ready for Holiday Shoppers
Plan to set aside ample time to peruse the neatly organized sections of the Evergreen Christian Outreach Resale Shop. EChO volunteers maintain an appealing shopping atmosphere which features a large selection of furniture, kitchen items, men’s and women’s clothing, jewelry and an area devoted to children’s toys, games and books. If you cannot decide upon the perfect gift, you can purchase an EChO gift card.
The shop features ongoing sales which are promoted at facebook.com/EChOResaleShop. Hours are Monday-Saturday from 10 am –
5 pm. If you are cleaning out your closets to make room for your winter clothing, you can donate your unwanted items
Monday-Saturday from 10 am – 1 pm, no appointment necessary.
Resale proceeds sustain EChO’s programs which assist people with basic and urgent needs along their path to self-sufficiency. Services include the EChO job center, rental and mortgage assistance, a food pantry and individualized client services. For more information, visit evergreenchristianoutreach.org.
