COS Town Tidings Issue #24-356

Community Corner Edition

📖 READ ONLINE

🌟 Community Nonprofit Spotlight: 🥫 Bringing Hope to Every Table: Care and Share Food Bank

🤝 Helping Hands - Volunteer Opportunities

• —> 😢 Angel Tree: A Call to Right a Holiday Mix-Up

🙋‍♀️ Let’s feature your business or nonprofit

📆 Local Events | 🤶 Holiday Events | 📅 SAVE THE DATE

🌞 COS Weather - Sunny and above average temps

What do you say to the musician playing the triangle in the orchestra?

👉Thank you for every ting 🤣

🥫 Bringing Hope to Every Table: Care and Share Food Bank

🥕 Fresh Food, Full Hearts: Care and Share’s Local Impact

Imagine the joy of gathering around a holiday table filled with food, laughter, and love. For many families in Colorado Springs, however, that simple moment is out of reach. Care and Share Food Bank has made it their mission to change that, ensuring no one in Southern Colorado goes hungry.

Founded in 1972 by Sister Dominique Pisciotta with a single pickup truck and a vision, Care and Share has grown into a vital lifeline for over 280,000 people annually. Through their 55,000-square-foot warehouse and partnerships with 289 food pantries and agencies, Care and Share distributes nutritious food to families across 29 counties. Their programs include mobile food pantries, school-based markets, and partnerships with local organizations to provide fresh produce, canned goods, and essential items to those in need.

The impact is staggering: 21 million meals and 25 million pounds of food distributed last year alone. Yet, hunger persists. Rising costs for groceries, gas, and housing push many families to make heartbreaking choices. Care and Share steps in, offering hope and nourishment to seniors, children, and working families alike.

If you bought too much food this holiday season or have unopened, non-perishable items, consider donating. Your contributions—whether food, funds, or time as a volunteer—help ensure Care and Share’s shelves stay stocked and food gets into the hands of those who need it most.

Be Part of the Solution:

• Donate food at 2605 Preamble Point, Colorado Springs, CO 80915

• Volunteer or contribute online at careandshare.org

• Call 719-528-1247 for more information

Together, we can keep our neighbors fed and their hearts full. Full Story

😢 Angel Tree: A Call to Right a Holiday Mix-Up

The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program distributed over 5,000 toys to 500 families but faced a mix-up that left some children with incorrect or missing gifts. This is heartbreaking for both donors and recipients, but the Salvation Army is asking affected families to contact them for help by calling 719-636-3891. They say they’re committed to resolving this issue and ensuring every child receives a meaningful gift this Christmas. You can read their Facebook statement here.

🤝 Helping Hands - Volunteer Opportunities

Explore rewarding volunteer options and be part of something meaningful. Together, we can make an impact!

🙋‍♀️ Click for our growing list of local Volunteer Opportunities/Resources 🙌

OWN a local business or nonprofit and would like to be featured? OR LOVE a local business/nonprofit? 👇Click an option below:

✅ Own a local Business/nonprofit? Apply

💓 Love a Local Business? Nominate*

⭐Let's Support Our Local Businesses!

Will you do us a favor and spread the word? We need your HELP! Please share Colorado Springs Town Tidings

👉Are you on Nextdoor? Share your link there too!

❄️ Avoid HVAC Mishaps: Brandy's 60 second Filter Advice!

🎉 New Events Calendar!

We're making it easier to discover and share what's happening in Colorado Springs! Our new interactive calendar is live and growing. Optional weekly SMS event reminders available!

We're rolling out events gradually to ensure everything runs smoothly. Have an event to share? Add it directly to the calendar. Click image above to access.

Click Image for the full updated list of this weekend’s events 👇

📆 Local Events

• Dec 23-Feb 23: Ice Castles @Cripple Creek $21-$29 (Opened Earlier Than Expected!)

• Dec 23, 27-29, 4-8:30pm: Christmas At Forest Bend @ Black Forest, 9525 Burgess Rd $17.50 (Must have reservation)

• Dec 23, 7-9pm: Christmas Movie Themed Trivia @Lebowski’s Taproom, 3240 Centennial Blvd FREE to attend

• Dec 24, 7pm: The Classic Broadmoor Holiday Show @The Broadmoor $90-$155

• Dec 30-31, 7:30pm: New Year’s Eve: Rhapsody in Blue @Pikes Peak Center for the Performing Arts $57-$115

• Dec 31, 7:30pm-Midnight: NYE-Under The Lights @ OCC, 2324 W. Colorado Ave $44.52

• Dec 31 7pm: New Year's Eve Bash @The Broadmoor $80-$155

• Dec 31 7pm: New Year's Eve Gala @The Broadmoor $330

• Jan 4, 6-9pm: Murder Mystery, A Noteworthy Crime (Holiday Show) @Great Wolf Lodge, 9494 Federal Dr $74.95 (16 Ticket Left)

• Jan 11. 2025, 5-8:30pm: Lotus Foundation's Hope Blooms Benefit for Survivors @First Lutheran Church, 1515 N Cascade Ave $50

• Jan 11 (7pm), 12 (2:30pm): Mozart's Requiem @First United Methodist Church, 420 N Nevada $35

• Timberline Landscaping’s 2024 “Christmas Lights Guide”: festive roadmap to over 100 decorated homes and businesses across Colorado Springs

• Magic Lights @PPIR, 16650 Midway Ranch Rd, Fountain (Through Jan 4, Daily) $33/vehicle

• Electric Safari at Cheyenne Mountain Zoo (Dec 21-23, 25-Jan 1): Where else can you see holiday lights AND feed a giraffe?

• Skate in the Park @Acacia Park through Jan 31: $13

• The Broadmoor's Christmas Celebrations: From elegant holiday teas to festive dining

• Winter Wonderland with the Wolves (Dec 22) @ Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center: Join for breakfast burritos with the wolves; $40 for ages 12+, $20 for kids under 11

🍽 FREE Holiday Community Meals

Everyone is Welcome

Dec 25, 11am-1pm: 4 Locations

Don’t want to be up to date on the latest Colorado Springs news, events, and more with our daily newsletters? Reply to this email with “2-3 Times/Week” and we’ll only send you 2-3 times/week instead (Wed, Sun and if we do a special weekend event issue.)

PLEASE DON’T MARK US AS SPAM! You signed up for this newsletter and there is a link below you can use to unsubscribe.

🤝 Maximize Your Reach, Be Seen 88,032 Times Monthly! Affordable advertising options benefiting both our valued subscribers and cherished local businesses. 💖