During the covid pandemic, Julia Walker and her son set up a communal food table in a neighborhood parking lot. They were surprised by the community’s response and the level of need uncovered.
“Week after week, it just exploded to the point where we came to the sad realization of how deep the need really is,” shares Julia. “So we decided to create a nonprofit to begin meeting those needs and that's how Hope Connection Community started.”
The organization’s mission is to meet needs in a unique, individualistic way. Each program allows recipients to have input and a choice in the items they receive. This philosophy shines through in the holiday program, Santa’s Workshop.
“As a mom, I love to go shopping for my kids, have surprises, and look forward to them lighting up when they get something that they asked for,” shares Julia. “At Santa’s Workshop, parents come without their children and a volunteer partners with them while they get to go shopping. Parents pick two gifts per child and then visit our wrapping station. We also provide a new stocking for every child that the parents get to fill the candy and a goodie.”
Santa’s Workshop serves children birth to eighteen years old and is made possible by the generous support of the Arvada community through the organization’s annual toy drive. This year, Julia has a goal of serving 2,000 children and their families. A donation of two gifts provides Christmas for one child. The maximum suggested cost per gift is $25 and donated items should be new. Any items left over after the Christmas holidays are used throughout the year to help children celebrate other special occasions such as birthdays.
Donation Information:
Suggestions for younger kids: most any kind of toy, Lego sets, games, dolls/Barbies, doll accessories, science kits, Nerf guns/darts/accessories, sports equipment/balls, blankets, piano/keyboard, craft kits, art supplies,
Suggestions for older kids: curling wands/straightening irons, joggers, hoodies, make-up kits, nail polish/kits, art sets, fast food gift cards ($15-$20), wireless earbuds, sports equipment/balls, blankets, craft kits, jewelry making kits/supplies
Donations can be dropped off through Friday, December 13th at Arvada Appliance, 9110 W 58th Ave, during business hours or ordered through Amazon for direct mailing to Hope Connection Community by using the QR code.
For more information on Hope Connection Community programs and to financially support its mission, visit hopeconnectioncommunity.org and follow the organization on Facebook.