Giving

Katie Shapiro

Rocky Mountain Arthritis Foundation Jingle Bell Run/Walk

More than 46 million Americans are living with arthritis, and it’s one of the nation’s leading causes of disability. Each year, thousands of runners and walkers pound the pavement for the Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis, a fun and festive 5K through Washington Park. The name of the race says it all: Participants are encouraged to tie jingle bells to their shoelaces and don holiday-inspired costumes. Proceeds raised directly benefit the Arthritis Foundation in order to increase awareness and allocate funds to find a cure for the disease.

Registration: $40 (individuals), $30 (team members, per person), $15 (children 12 and under), $15 (senior 65 and over)

Sunday, December 13, 8 am registration

Washington Park

303.756.8622

jinglebellrundenver.kintera.org

Dolls for Daughters

When Colorado mother Jessica Bachus lost her stillborn daughter in 2007, she needed a way to turn her grief into something meaningful for other families. That same year, she started Dolls for Daughters, a nonprofit that makes the holidays a bit brighter for girls facing homelessness, poverty, abuse, and neglect. Through December 18, Dolls for Daughters is collecting new, unwrapped dolls to be distributed to families served by Denver Children’s Home, SafeHouse Denver, Samaritan House, The Gathering Place, Warren Village, and other charities for girls who would not otherwise receive a gift during the holidays.

For a list of drop-off locations or to make a donation online, visit dollsfordaughters.com.

Parent Pathways Holiday Helping Hands Project

The holiday season, from Thanksgiving through the end of the year, is one of the toughest times for the pregnant and parenting teens served by Parent Pathways. Each year, the Holiday Helping Hands Project gives you the opportunity to provide holiday gifts and meals for the children born to teen parents. “Giving Trees” are set up in area workplaces, schools, stores, and other community locations to collect donations of gifts, clothing, and diapers. The Holiday Helping Hands Project arranges for donors to provide a family with gifts and a holiday meal.

For registration forms and more information, visit parentpathways.org.

Jewish Family Service Reel Hope – Take 14

Community leaders Brent and Julie Morse and David H. Friedman are this year’s honorees at the annual Jewish Family Service movie premier event. Festivities will feature the awards presentation, a JFS agency video, and a special screening of a major Hollywood film. Reel Hope is produced in partnership with Variety of Colorado and benefits the programming of JFS.

Thursday, December 3, 6 pm

Tickets: $180

Regal Cinemas Continental Theatre

3635 S. Monaco Pkwy.

303.597.5000, ext. 308

jewishfamilyservice.org

Aspen Summit for life uphill celebration

Now in its fourth year, the Aspen Summit for Life benefits the Chris Klug Foundation, which is focused on raising awareness of the importance of organ and tissue donation. (Klug is a professional snowboarder who received a liver transplant in 2000 and went on to compete in the 2002 Olympics in Salt Lake City.) The weekend of events is centered around a nighttime uphill race (you can also opt to “ride for life” on the gondola to the top of the mountain), for which participants collect pledges. At the end of the more than two and a half–mile climb (or ride) is an evening of dinner, dancing, and fun. Prizes will go to the top finishers and the top fundraisers. Thursday, December 10 will be a panel discussion, “Celebrating Life: Inspiration and Personal Summits,” and Friday

will be the Wine and Dine for Life kick-off dinner at Pacifica Seafood

and Raw Bar.

Saturday, December 12, 5:15 pm (recreational start),

6 pm (competitive start)

Registration: $40 (preregistration), $50 (day of race),

$60 (ride for life, $35 kids 12 and under)

Check in at the Aspen Square Hotel

617 E. Cooper Ave., Aspen

970. 274.0832

summitforlife.org, chrisklugfoundation.org