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Holiday Hugs Gift Drive: Children’s Hospital Colorado does its best to keep patients comfortable and cheerful during the holiday season, which is why it’s partnering with The Container Store to help provide those children with special gifts. Between Monday and December 15, drop off small, unopened toys, books, gift cards, or toiletry items in the large red boxes in either of the store’s Denver locations. The gifts will be packaged in “Holiday Hug” bags and distributed to the children. For more details about the hospital’s wish list, email donations@containerstore.com. Monday through December 15, The Container Store, 2500 E. 1st Ave., No. 111; 51 W. Flatiron Crossing Dr., Broomfield
Giving Tuesday: After Turkey Thursday, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday, you might feel a little bit of gluttonous guilt. That’s where Giving Tuesday comes in. It’s a nationwide holiday challenging us to give on any scale to any cause we feel passionately about. Check #GivingTuesday for ideas and visit the event’s website to learn more about how to donate as effectively as possible. Once you’ve given back, share your cause on social media and spread the word. Tuesday, all day
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Art of Wine Benefit for the Historic Elitch Gardens Theatre: This 125-year-old venue doesn’t lack old-time charm or star-studded history, but what it does need is a new roof—and restrooms. To help, the theatre is partnering with Bonacquisti Wine Company to host an event to celebrate the release of its second, limited edition Historic Elitch Theatre wine. Last year’s 60 tickets sold out before the doors opened, but organizers have doubled the size of this year’s venue in hopes of doubling last year’s fundraising total—from $5,000 to $10,000. Also check out the silent auction, which, rumor has it, will include courtside Nuggets tickets. Wednesday, 6 p.m.; Bonacquisti Wine Company, 4640 Pecos St.; $45-$75
Trail building at Barr Lake: If cabin fever is starting to set in, slip on your boots and head over to Barr Lake State Park to get a little exercise and ensure its trails will be in tip-top shape come spring. Barr Lake is hoping to complete a 3,000-foot section of the Bergman Barn trail in a seldom-explored part of the park, connecting a historic barn and the Old Stone House. Volunteers will be spreading gravel over the path and helping reseed areas damaged during the trail’s initial construction. You should pack your own lunch, but all tools, including work gloves, will be provided by Wildlands Restoration Volunteers, the nonprofit partnering with Barr Lake to complete the trail. If you can’t attend this weekend, try to make it for a final wrap-up session December 12. Saturday, 9:30 a.m to 4 p.m.; Barr Lake State Park, 13401 Picadilly Rd., Brighton
Renovations at Positive Alternatives: Denver is home to hundreds of childcare centers, some of which rely on government grants to stay open. The conditions of those grants, though, often require the centers to adhere to certain standards of safety and appearance. Project Helping, an area nonprofit that uses volunteering to improve mental wellness, is teaming up with the Merage Foundations to help childcare centers in need meet those standards. That includes repainting classrooms, re-mulching playgrounds, and generally keeping facilities clean and bright. This week’s volunteers will be working at Positive Alternatives Preschool near Cherry Creek State Park. Email info@projecthelping.org for more information and to RSVP. Saturday, 9 a.m.; Positive Alternatives Preschool, 8085 E. Hamden Ave.
To submit your event or organization for inclusion in 5280‘s weekly “Get Involved” column, email getinvolved@5280.com.