The holiday spirit was vibrant at the annual Boys and Girls Club celebration, where the Denver Nuggets brought joy and excitement to local children. However, the club emphasized the increasing necessity for donations to brighten the season for even more kids.
The event featured engaging activities like crafts and cookie decorating, as well as the presence of Nuggets cheerleaders, team mascot Rocky, and Kyle Speller, the Nuggets’ public address announcer. Speller expressed the importance of making a positive impact, drawing from his own experiences of growing up in a fatherless home and benefiting from after-school programs.
“The hope is that it’s inspirational and motivational, giving them something to aspire to,” Speller remarked. He reflected on how this event allows children, who may never attend a game, to feel connected to the Nuggets.
One enthusiastic participant, Skyla, shared her love for creating cheers with friends, while her brother beamed in his Jamal Murray jersey, thrilled to meet the cheerleaders and mascot.
Rachel Rooney, Senior Director of Philanthropy for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Metro Denver, highlighted the happy anticipation among the children. “Physical gifts are wonderful, but experiences like this are things they remember forever,” she noted. The organization currently serves over 10,000 kids at 27 clubs in the area and reports an increased need for holiday donations this year.
Rooney explained that while they have enough toys for about 75% of their clubs, they are striving to ensure every child receives multiple gifts. “We rely on our community for support through time, talent, and treasure,” she said.
As laughter and games filled the air, Speller reminded the children of their potential, saying, “Their future is at their fingertips. They were born an original—don’t die a copy.”
To continue spreading cheer, the Boys and Girls Club is accepting toy donations until Christmas Eve, encouraging community members to help make the holidays brighter for all children involved.
The ongoing efforts of organizations like the Boys and Girls Club, supported by community donations, are crucial in creating memorable experiences for children, reminding us all of the joy and hope the holiday season can bring.
For information on how to donate toys until Christmas Eve, you can visit their official webpage.