Westwood in southwest Denver is a diverse neighborhood recently pelted with headlines of violence, gang activity and other negative impressions. But behind that diaphanous cloak of accusations and fear, Westwood residents demonstrate daily at the SouthWest Improvement Council their love for one another, their community and the spirit of the season.

On Friday, December 14, the Table Mountain Treasures Doll Club sponsored a celebration of the holidays with Westwood children and their families. The club works year-round making and buying gifts, utilizing every possible connection to generate a bounty of surprises for the children of the area. "One of our members has a sister who is a dentist in Arizona. She makes sure that all the gift bags include a new toothbrush," explained one of the party's organizers.

Like many people who live or work in Westwood, the members of the Doll Club know that people in this neighborhood balance multiple jobs, provide care for generations of family, and struggle to provide the day to day essentials much less seasonal expenses.

So, for the past five years the club has reached out to offer a holiday experience to children who might otherwise never know the magic. Members make, buy and barter for multiple gifts for each child, prepare and serve a dinner feast, and enlist Santa Claus to complete the experience. The joyful smiles, laughter and expressions of gratitude all point to the same conclusion. The Table Mountain Treasures Doll Club and the SouthWest Improvement Council are indeed holiday heroes in Westwood.