Started in 1923, Christmas Unlimited is one of the region’s oldest charities, serving El Paso and Teller County families in need with various programs.

The organization’s Holiday Toy Distribution Program provides free gifts for children whose parents apply through human services agencies, schools and by calling Pikes Peak United Way’s 211 assistance line.

Applications are being accepted until all shopping slots are filled.

Applications also are available at these agencies: Boys & Girls Club – Pikes Peak Region, 1307 Aeroplaza Drive; CASA, 418 S. Weber St.; Catholic Charities, 917 E. Moreno Ave.; Child Community Services, 5390 N. Academy Blvd., suite 200; Connections 4 Life Center, 6436 US Hwy 85, suite U, Fountain; CPCD Headstart, 2330 Robinson St., Deerfield Hills Community Center, 4290 Deerfield Hills Road; DFMWR – Army Community Service – building 1526, room 116, 6303 Wetzel Ave., USAG-Fort Carson; El Paso County Health Department and El Paso County Department of Human Services, 1675 W. Garden of the Gods Road;  Good News Foundation, 125 N. Parkside Drive, #105; Hillside Community Center, 925 S. Institute St., Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, 530 Communications Drive; Nurse-Family Partnership UCCS & El Paso County, 4863 N. Nevada Ave., #229; Partners in Housing, 21 S. Wahsatch Ave., Peak Vista Community Health Centers, all locations; The Resource Exchange, 6385 Corporate Drive, suite 301; and Westside Community Center, 1628 W. Bijou St.

Toy distribution starts Thursday and runs through Dec. 23. Only one adult is allowed to shop for gifts at the headquarters for their family.

Donations of new, unwrapped gifts for children ages 12 and under continue to be accepted and may be dropped off at the office at 2204 E. Boulder St., on Wednesdays and Fridays, and at any of the Colorado Springs Fire Department’s 23 stations.

For more information or to volunteer or make a monetary contribution, go to https://www.christmasunlimited.org/.

The late Colorado Springs business owner Bob Telmosse, who became known as Santa Bob for his generous spirit, has been gone for 19 years, but the event he started in 1983 after an anonymous prankster put an ad in The Gazette saying Telmosse was giving away free stuff at his furniture store has lived on.

This year’s free Bob Telemosse Christmas Giveaway will be held 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Dec. 20 at its pre-COVID space, the Norris Penrose Event Center in Colorado Springs.

“I’m seeing a whole lot of people who said they’ve never had to ask for help before, but they just don’t have the money for Christmas and are looking for ideas on social media so their kids can get at least something,” said Joey Bippus, a foundation board member.

“We also have people who come every year because they’re in a situation where they’re stuck in that cycle.”

The giveaway usually serves 2,000 children and more than 600 families each year, she said.

No registration is required — just wait in line until the doors open. Kids under age 18 and special-needs kids who are older can participate, but children must be present.

“Bob never wanted anybody to ask any questions as to why they’re there,” Bippus said. “He believed if you’re swallowing your pride enough to get in line, we don’t need to know your situation. We’ll accommodate anybody.”

Each child will receive a book, a stuffed animal, an age-appropriate toy and the chance to win a bike. Also, each family will receive a bag of food.

The foundation that runs the annual event has a Telmosse-era motto of “Just People Helping People.”

Donations of new, unwrapped toys and gently used bicycles are accepted through Dec. 20. From Dec. 18-20, drop them off at the Norris Penrose Center.

Donated bicycles may be taken to Procycling, 415 W. Colorado Ave.; and Ted’s Bicycles, 3016 N. Hancock Ave.

Other toys and gifts are accepted at Hot Tub Heaven, 4039 Tutt Blvd.; Arcfield, 5009 Centennial Blvd.; Hartle Family Dentistry, 1685 Briargate Blvd., #C; Christian Brothers Automotive – Cimarron Hills, 7919 Silicon Heights; Helen’s Nails, 2832 N Powers Blvd.: Colorado Law Group, 121 E. Vermijo Ave.; and Salon Bella, 529 N. Tejon St.

For updated donation locations, see the organization’s Facebook page, and for more information, to volunteer for two-hour shifts or donate a financial gift, go to https://santa-bob.org/.

Last year, the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots program coordinated by Russ Miller distributed nearly 34,000 toys to about 25,500 children in the Pikes Peak region.

The initiative does not directly hand over the toys to children but rather collects en masse donations that are given to local organizations that work with low-income families.

Many motorcycle toy runs are held each year to collect gifts, and local businesses and agencies pitch in as well.

This year, all eight southern Colorado Whataburger locations are giving free taquito coupons for anyone who brings in a new, unwrapped toy to donate.  The drive started on Nov. 12 and runs through Dec. 21.

The 37th annual Colorado Springs Police Department Toy Drive is underway to support Toys for Tots.

New, unwrapped toys can be dropped off at the Police Operations Center headquarters, 705 S. Nevada Ave., or these substations: Falcon Division,7850 Goddard St.; Gold Hill Division, 955 W. Morena Ave.; Stetson Division, 4110 Tutt Blvd.; and Sand Creek Division, 950 Academy Park Loop.

Also, the Colorado Springs Police Department’s Holiday on the Hill will be held from 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. on Dec. 14 at the Goldhill Substation, 955 W. Morena Ave.

The community event features Santa’s arrival at 3 p.m., pictures with Santa, gifts for children, holiday snacks and meeting local police officers.

It’s sponsored by the Police Foundation of Colorado Springs, Toys for Tots and other community groups. 

This Sunday’s Manitou Christmas Parade, which starts at 6 p.m. on downtown’s Manitou Avenue, also is accepting toy donations for Toys for Tots.

“Residents and visitors are invited to bundle up, bring a toy and enjoy the magic of the season in the heart of Manitou Springs,” says the event announcement.

For more information on Toys for Tots, or to contribute money, see https://colorado-springs-co.toysfortots.org/…/about…

Walmart and The Salvation Army Angel Tree

Seven area Walmarts, from Falcon to Fountain and Colorado Springs in between, are collecting gifts in donation boxes inside stores for The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program. Toys will benefit local children in an emergency shelter for families who are homeless, as well as afterschool care and other services.

For more information, go to https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/walmart-angel-tree/.

Toy drive to benefit Hope & Home Foster Care

Dart Wars: Indoor Nerf Battle Arena owner Dylan Newman, a military veteran, not only hires foster, group-home and military dependent teenagers who age out of support programs, he also collects toys and gift cards as Christmas gifts to benefit Hope & Home Foster Care.

A special toy drive event is happening at 6 p.m. Saturday, where customers can drop off unwrapped gifts, toys and gift cards, and enjoy a night of free play. Dart Wars is at 13280 Touchstone View in Colorado Springs.

Anyone who can’t make the event can deliver donations of unwrapped toys or gift cards from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays, when the center is open.

For more information, go to https://dartwars.com/.

Free Christmas trees!

Through Dec. 13, The Christmas Tree Project that focuses on Colorado provides fully decorated Christmas trees for families who can’t afford a tree.

Donations of Christmas trees and decorations can be dropped off 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Mondays-Fridays at 4575 Galley Road, Suite 200E.

To request a tree, go to https://www.thechristmastreeproject.org/request-tree/.

To make monetary donations, go to thechristmastreeproject.org. Volunteers also are needed on Dec. 6 and Dec. 13.