By Patte Smith

With the rising costs of food, merchandise and gas, as well as a continuing pandemic this holiday season, it is important to consider fellow neighbors who may need help this year with a hand up. Crisis Center and Help & Hope Center are two organizations within Douglas County that provide vital services for those in need throughout the year – and especially during the holidays.

Many Douglas County families are struggling and do not have the resources to provide food or gifts for their children for the holidays. Both of these organizations help put food on the table, pay the rent or provide a safe place to stay for those in need.

In 2020, the Crisis Center provided direct service to 437 different adults and children impacted by domestic violence. Roughly 32% of those adults utilized more than one service, including therapy, community-based advocacy and emergency shelters.

Crisis Center’s Future for Families Annual Gala this year is being held at Vehicle Vault in Parker on Friday, November 5 from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. There is also a virtual option provided. This inspirational and fun evening features a silent and live auction, a keynote speaker, and other activities. For more information, visit https://e.givesmart.com/events/jyF.

Crisis Center’s Adopt-A-Family sponsor commitment form is now available for anyone who would like to donate to families and individuals during the holidays. Donors can purchase actual gifts or gift cards. All items must be delivered to the Crisis Center in Castle Rock by Monday, December 14. Gifts must not be wrapped, but donations of gift bags and wrapping paper is appreciated.

For more information and to fill out an Adopt-a-Family form, email Amy McCandless at amccandless@thecrisiscenter.org.

Help & Hope Center through its thrift store, food band and more than $2 million in donations has served more than 20,000 clients and provided more than 450 tons of food – all of which was done from volunteers who have served more than 35,000 hours working for the Center.

In addition to donations throughout the year, Help & Hope Center is seeking donations for the holidays from November 15 through December 13. The Center asks that prospective donors contact Susan Littman, Santa’s Sharing Program liaison, at santashhc@gmail.com to sign up to be a donor. Littman provides a most requested toy list to donors at that time.

The community can donate toys, clothes, or gift cards for those items. Gift cards for groceries are also a need not only during the holidays, but throughout the year.

With a few modifications to allow for COVID-19 safety protocols, Help & Hope Center clients can select gifts for their children Monday through Friday from November 29 through December 23. For more information, visit www.helpandhopecenter.org/.

Both of these wonderful organizations are grateful to the individuals who donate time, talents and resources during the year to make someone else’s life better and their holidays brighter.