The merchants in The Village at Castle Pines have joined Sterling Building & Design to fill a large-size POD with much-needed items such as new and unwrapped clothing of all sizes, new and unwrapped toys, toiletries, gift cards, and non-perishable food items for donation to the Douglas/Elbert Task Force. Please consider helping those less fortunate in our community and bring items to fill the POD by December 20!

Article and photos by Amy Shanahan

The holiday season is all about giving, and the merchants in The Village at Castle Pines are doing their part to try to give much-needed assistance to those less fortunate. Woody Howarth of Sterling Building & Design worked in conjunction with the Douglas/Elbert Task Force (Task Force) and arranged for a full-size empty POD to be delivered to his showroom. The Village at Castle Pines merchants have joined in to help meet the goal of completely filling the POD by December 20.

The Task Force will receive all of the items from the POD and will distribute them to families in need this holiday season. Please help us fill the POD with much-needed items, including new and unwrapped clothing of all sizes, new and unwrapped toys, toiletries, gift cards, and non-perishable food items.

Marcella Shadle, executive director of the Task Force is thrilled about this campaign. “The purpose of the “POD in the Pines” campaign is to provide for families that cannot provide for themselves this holiday season. We want to make sure that every child receives gifts and that every family enjoys a holiday meal!” remarked Shadle. “This effort is also about raising awareness in our community about the year-round need happening right next door to us. It’s about restoring hope to moms and dads who are struggling to put food on the table, stay in their homes, and make a life for themselves and their children. This is a wonderful way to celebrate Christmas and we are so grateful to the Castle Pines community.”

The Task Force provides food, clothing, rent, utilities, and other assistance to those in need. In 2013, the Task Force provided more than $1,107,000 in emergency services to 14,740 people in Douglas and Elbert counties. The Task Force is located in downtown Castle Rock and works throughout the year with local residents who are experiencing financial distress and are at risk of becoming homeless.

To learn more about the Task Force or opportunities to help, visit www.detaskforce.org.

Together we have the power to make this holiday season unforgettable for our neighbors in need. Please bring donations to Sterling Building & Design in The Village at Castle Pines, located at the corner of Santa Fe and Happy Canyon Road.

While you are there dropping off your donations, please be sure to allow for extra time to check out all of the wonderful dining options, shops, and services located in The Village!

Merchants from The Village at Castle Pines gather in the empty POD on delivery day, hoping it will be filled by December 20!