The Christmas for Kids program is picking up momentum, and the Piñon Project encourages families to apply for the gift-giving program this week.
The program lines up community sponsors to provide Christmas gifts to local children. It served 415 children last year.
Families can apply at Piñon headquarters to receive gifts, and if they qualify based on income and expenses, Piñon will pair them with a business, nonprofit or individual sponsor to get to work on their wish list.
Several businesses, including The Journal, set up “angel trees” with children’s wish lists on them to encourage customers to take part in the program.
Other sponsors include the Cortez Fire District, the Elks Lodge, the Kiwanis Club and the Salvation Army, which will be adopting families through Piñon this year. Piñon itself also sponsors 60 to 150 kids every year, and numerous individuals throughout the county also donate gifts and money.
Cody’s wish list is on The Journal’s angel tree. Cody’s 2½ years old and wants Minions snow boots for Christmas. He also likes Thomas the Train toys, loves Nemo, and likes all things related to robots. To become Cody’s Christmas angel, a sponsor may stop by The Journal’s downtown Cortez office at 8 W. Main St., sign up, and then start shopping and wrapping. Remember to label the gifts, and drop them off by noon Friday, Dec. 16 at the Piñon annex, 300 N. Main St.
From Dec. 19 to about Dec. 23, the Piñon office sorts, wraps and addresses gifts. The Fire Department and Elks Lodge help to deliver the gifts just before Christmas.
“It’s really phenomenal how everyone comes together to support the families that need a little extra help,” youth program director Kelli Jackson said.
How to Take PartTo find out how to become a sponsor or volunteer with Christmas for Kids, contact Kelli Jackson at 970-564-1195 or visit the Piñon Project on 212 W. Montezuma Ave., Cortez. Applications to receive Christmas presents are also available at the Piñon Project. The deadline to sign up to be a sponsor or recipient is Friday, Dec. 16.