A Colorado Springs nonprofit is celebrating quite the milestone this year.

Christmas Unlimited is celebrating its 100 years of providing presents for under the tree.

“The one story that carries on, even going back as far as 100 years, is that we’ve (Christmas Unlimited) have never not given out toys, we have never failed in giving out toys to families during Christmas,” Executive Director Mike Tapia, said.

Christmas Unlimited serves families across El Paso and Teller Counties.

What began in 1923 as a group of “Santa-minded” citizens repairing old toys and puzzles to provide to struggling families and their kids during the holiday season has transformed over the past century into the organization known as today as Christmas Unlimited.

Expecting to serve a record-breaking 8,000 children a part of 3,500 families this holiday season, the nonprofit works year-round to serve those in need through their thrift store and school supplies drive, but most notably through their holiday toy distribution in December.

For over 30 years, Linda Milicia has been volunteering for Christmas Unlimited. She was stocking the shelves of the toy store on a Monday, when the store was closed. Christmas Unlimited is celebrating their 100th year this year, one of the oldest non-profits in the city. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)

Designed to empower participating families, the distribution center operates out of a store-like environment. Families who are approved for the program are issued shopping passes to pick out Christmas gifts for their children, receiving additional “stocking stuffers,” and wrapping paper in the process from a smiling volunteer at the check-out counter.

“We don’t want the children to know we even exist,” Tapia said. “We’re working to empower the parents, and that’s the way it’s been as long as we’ve existed.”

Long-time volunteer Linda Milicia has been with Christmas Unlimited for more than 30 years, holding multiple positions on the board in her time and now managing the nonprofit thrift store that becomes the charity’s holiday store-front this time of the year.

She said between her fellow volunteers and the families served, the organization has provided her with a community she enjoys being a part of.

“We’re social with each other and we enjoy each other’s company,” Milicia said. “Lots of people in this neighborhood count on us (the thrift store). They’ll come in once a week and spend $10 or $20, but it’s a social thing for them too. We know their names and they know ours.”

Walking into the toy distribution center, multiple sets of parents could be seen waiting their turn to enter the store and pick out toys for children. Stepping through a curtain in the corner of the waiting area felt like entering Santa’s Workshop itself — Books, games, dolls, a plushies lined the shelves, volunteers decked in Santa hats and festive garland could be seen assisting and conversing with shoppers weaving through the aisles.

An old Gazette newspaper clipping from 1923 hangs on the wall of Christmas Unlimited. It tells the story of the origins of the non-profit, that was started by several church women 100 years ago. (Photo by Jerilee Bennett, The Gazette)

“Growing up my mom used to take us to volunteer over Thanksgiving and Christmas, and it always stuck with me how great it is to help people,” first-year volunteer Leigh Thomas, said. “I think one of the most important things about the season is really giving and being selfless and helping people. That’s what brings the holiday spirit alive for me.”

Volunteer Donna Machacek, who’s been giving her time to Christmas Unlimited for the past 25 years, relayed the sentiment of giving this time of year.

“I love to give, and I love to help the children,” Machacek said. “Everyone is so grateful, they really are.”

Tapia said while Christmas Unlimited is getting by this year on toy donations, expecting to serve a record-breaking number of children this season, the organization itself is struggling financially.

The nonprofit’s gone through rough patches before. In 1987 the organization had to briefly shut down for lack of volunteers. 

“We have a mortgage to pay and utilities and that,” Tapia said. “Every nonprofit this time of year is asking for money, including us. We’re getting by this year on toy donations, but it’s tough these days, and it’s not looking good in terms of monetary donations.”

To learn more about Christmas Unlimited and their efforts, Click or Tap Here.