Share-A-Gift, a nonprofit serving local families in need, is seeking donations of new and gently used games, toys, stuffed animals, craft supplies and bikes to ensure that children in need in the Boulder Valley School District will receive gifts this holiday season.

In 2006, Share-A-Gift provided gifts to 2,155 children, up from 1,519 children in 2005, and the organization expects to serve even more this year. Most years the organization passes on extra toys it has collected to other area nonprofits that use and distribute them throughout the year, but the increase in families served in 2006 completely depleted the organization's stock of toys. "Serving more people means we have fewer toys to give to each family and to the other organizations. It also means we have to purchase more new toys to make sure that every child gets one new toy," said Ramona Corvin-Brown, who has volunteered to manage the organization's new toys for the past 16 years.

Since 1972, this volunteer-run nonprofit has depended on community support to collect and distribute new and gently used toys at its annual Toy Shop. Families with children up to fourteen years old are invited by school administrators and other nonprofits such as the Emergency Family Assistance Association and the Sister Carmen Center to attend the Toy Shop and select gifts. Many businesses, schools and religious groups support Share-A-Gift through contributions and by hosting toy collection boxes. To find a listing of toy drop off locations, visit www.shareagift.org.

Items Share-A-Gift particularly needs are baby dolls, Dora the Explorer, Bratz dolls, trucks, trains, remote control cars, and gifts for 11-14 year olds (CD players, sport team brand clothing, manicure sets, etc.). Share-A-Gift also needs books for ten to fourteen year olds and Spanish language books. Tax deductible monetary donations are also greatly appreciated. Please send checks payable to Share-A-Gift, Inc. to: Share-A-Gift, 1737 Sunlight Drive, Longmont, CO 80501.

The holiday season reminds us all of the joy we've gotten from favorite games and toys. Whether we're children and still play with those toys or have long outgrown them, the magic of the holiday season reminds us all of the joy we've gotten from favorite games and toys. Please help share the joy with children in need by donating to or volunteering for Share-A-Gift this season.

To volunteer for Share-A-Gift or donate, please visit www.shareagift.orgor contact JoAnn Joselyn at jjoselyn@earthlink.net, (303) 494-4258. The 2007 Toy Shop will be Saturday, December 15.