In 1984, The Gazette established Empty Stocking Fund with the original goal of filling empty stockings with toys, clothing, and other items for families in need during the holiday season. They raised over $40,000 in cash and goods to assist 27 families during that first year. Ten years later the campaign shifted to a community fundraiser for nonprofits in the Pikes Peak Region. Now, the Empty Stocking Fund provides funding to 20 local health and human service agencies in El Paso and Teller Counties on the front lines of helping people in crisis and assisting others in attaining self-sufficiency.

Care and Share is honored to be a part of this year’s Gazette-El Pomar Empty Stocking Fund. Care and Share has been a recipient of this campaign since 1994! The Empty Stocking Fund provides support for many of our Southern Colorado neighbors in need.

Donations to the Empty Stocking Fund transform lives. Every dollar donated to the Empty Stocking Fund grows up to 50 percent through matching grants. To learn more about this year’s campaign, please visit: https://www.fillanemptystocking.org/donation/