$22,479 raised by 99 donors
75% complete
$30,000 Goal
Denver Santa Claus Shop is a 100% volunteer-run, non-denominational nonprofit that has helped over one million local children since 1931 through the mission of "A Toy for Every Girl & Boy!" All funds raised go toward purchasing toys and running the annual Toy Shop each December, where eligible families are able to "shop" for free toys and books they know their children will enjoy. Many of these families may not otherwise be able to give their children a toy during the holidays.
Your donation goes directly to the purchase of toys and the Shop operations. We have no paid staff or paid building or trucks of our own. Nearly everything used to run the Toy Shop is donated, and we could not do what we do without the endless support of our hundreds of volunteers and generous donors - many of whom have been supporting Denver Santa Claus Shop for decades.
We invite you to discover more about Denver Santa Claus Shop on our website and Facebook page.
Thank you for your generosity. It is because of people like you with a giving heart that over one million children have been able to enjoy the magic of a toy each holiday season since 1931.
Since 1931, our mission is and will always be "A Toy for Every Girl & Boy!"
Denver Santa Claus Shop was created in 1931 and is still going strong, even through the tough and challenging times of the pandemic.
The unique and enduring mission of Denver Santa Claus Shop is credited to its founders, a society of women intent on providing toys to children in need at Christmas while maintaining the dignity of the families receiving the aid. Their novel approach to charitable giving replaced the prepackaged "bundles" of miscellaneous household goods, clothing, and toys previously delivered to families in their homes.
Founder Miriam "Minnie" Adams mused, "The biggest struggle is this: To persuade people to give up their pride and pleasure in giving directly to a family and to make them realize the families prefer to come to The Shop and shop."
Working with many social service agencies - much like we do today - the first Shops collected food, clothing, and toys and operated like a giant store. A system of paper gift certificates worth $1 apiece was utilized, and each paper was punched as the desired gifts were selected.
Believed to be the oldest continuously running shop of its kind in the country, Denver Santa Claus Shop owes its ongoing success to the thousands of volunteers, donors, and agencies collaborating to create the massive Shop - now devoted exclusively to the collection and distribution of toys.
Throughout the rich history of Denver Santa Claus Shop, whether the Great Depression, World War II, the chaotic protests of the 1960s or the COVID pandemic - The Shop has prevailed in bringing the simple pleasure of joy through the gift of a toy - for every girl and boy.
Organization name
The Denver Santa Claus Shop, Inc.
other names
Denver Santa Claus Shop
1932
Tax id (EIN)
84-7140841
Category
Public & Societal Benefit
Organization Size
Medium Organization
Address
P.O. Box 102104Denver, CO, US