A season of generous hearts and hands culminated in an astonishing showing for the Chrystal Snow Memorial Toy Drive as the Pagosa Community Initiative (PCI) served 268 kids across 92 families in Archuleta County this holiday season and continues to serve families coming in to receive help with toys.
Thanks to the unwavering support of Pagosa Springs’ residents and local organizations, nearly 300 children will wake up this holiday season to gifts, warmth and parents/caretakers with the reassurance that their community stands with them.
PCI Board Chair Carrie Blue-White shared heartfelt gratitude for the extraordinary outpouring of love: “We are humbled by the outpouring of love and support for our families and want to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the people and organizations that donated toys, hosted boxes for collection, worked the Walmart table (even during snow storms), volunteered to fill wish lists and distribute toys. None of the cheer spread could have been done without you. Thank you, Pagosa, for supporting almost 300 children in Archuleta County with the Chrystal Snow Memorial Toy Drive!”
PCI’s executive director, Rebecca Tenpenny, shared: “Those of us at PCI are so incredibly impressed with the generosity of the residents of Pagosa Springs. Every year we see an astounding increase in the giving from businesses and individual members of the town. It really moves us how our community comes together to take care of each other. I cannot express how grateful I am for everyone involved.”
Across the county, toys were donated, drop-off boxes filled and volunteers rolled up sleeves at every stage of the effort.
Special thanks go to those who hosted collection boxes, staffed the Walmart outreach table, and worked to fill wish lists and distribute toys on Saturday, Dec. 13.
The impact of the drive extends beyond presents; it strengthens family bonds and leaves children knowing they are not alone this holiday season and throughout the year.
About the toy drive and PCI
The Chrystal Snow Memorial Holiday Toy Drive is a county-wide effort to gather and distribute new, unwrapped toys to Archuleta County families.
Drop-off boxes were placed at local businesses from Nov. 29 through Dec. 11.
In addition to toy donations, the drive invites volunteers and sponsors to expand reach to teens and underserved children, working in coordination with schools and community groups to identify those most in need.
The campaign — led by PCI — invites the community to continue supporting families in need beyond the holidays. PCI emphasizes that doors remain open for resources and information about the organization’s ongoing work in the community.
Community members who are seeking toys for their families or who wish to learn more about PCI can contact (970) 585-6461 or visit the PCI website at www.pagosacommunityinitiative.org.
To stay up to date on PCI happenings, individuals are encouraged to sign up for our newsletter by visiting our website, and please follow us on Facebook and Instagram.
We need your support throughout the year. PCI is the county’s Family Resource Center providing mental health resources, resource management, after-school programming, a food shelf program, adult education and so much more.
Your support stays in Archuleta County and goes toward supporting and lifting up our local families.
We are a vetted 501(c)(3) with a board, executive director and full staff working to help the local families.
Please consider a monthly contribution, which you can sign up for on PCI’s website. Every cent goes toward our services, and our community needs it now more than ever.
Please lookout for our upcoming events like Second Chance Prom in May where you can have a second chance at prom (21 year old and older) and come together for a fun filled night raising money for PCI. Planning will begin in January, so please reach out if you have a prom queen/king nominee or would like to join our planning committee.
We are also looking for a few more board seats to be filled if you’re a skilled individual wanting to make a big impact. Please reach out to Tenpenny or Blue-White for more information.
PCI remains dedicated to serving Archuleta County and welcomes ongoing support as the organization continues its mission to brighten the holidays and beyond.
Thank you again for supporting the Chrystal Snow Memorial Toy Drive. We wish everyone a wonderful holiday season and look forward to seeing you soon.
For more information on PCI and how to help, visit www.pagosacommunityinitiative.org or call (970) 585-6461.
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