Boulder firefighters and Parks and Recreation team up for fifth consecutive year to brighten local children’s holidays

 

The City of Boulder Parks and Recreation Department’s Youth Services Initiative (YSI) program is working to brighten children’s holidays this season with help from the community and the Boulder Fire Department’s IAFF Local 900 union.

 

YSI provides youth from low-income families with opportunities and resources necessary to make positive recreational, educational, and lifestyle choices through after-school programs and community involvement activities.

 

This year, YSI will host holiday parties for program youth and their families on Thursday, Dec. 8, and Thursday, Dec. 15. Last year’s holiday parties served more than 150 families and delivered nearly 500 gifts to the children.

 

IAFF Local 900 support of YSI

The Boulder Fire Department’s IAFF Local 900 union will donate money for the fifth consecutive year. Their donations will help purchase gifts for children served by the YSI program who are living at Boulder’s low-income housing sites (managed by Boulder Housing Partners). The firefighters say this is a way to give back to kids in their very own community..

 

“We are honored to be able to support YSI youth during the holiday season,” said Lt. John Nunez, who has been involved with the department’s toy drive efforts for 19 years. “Sometimes, this will be the only gift a child receives. It is humbling for us to serve families who need a little extra help over the holidays.”

 

“When we show up in our fire trucks to these holiday parties, the looks on the children’s faces are priceless,” he added.

 

Community asked to help with donations

If you would like to make a donation to the YSI Program Toy Drive, visit www.BoulderParks-Rec.org, click on the “Youth Services toy drive – Donate today!” link and follow the instructions. A secure PayPal connection is provided and personal information will not be shared. Donations can be made using a major credit card or PayPal account. A small processing fee is deducted by PayPal from all donations. All donors will receive a receipt from PayPal and a Thank You from YSI. Checks can also be made payable to “YSI” and submitted to YSI, Attn: Alex Zinga, 3198 Broadway Ave., Boulder, CO 80304. Toy donation boxes are also located at the three City of Boulder recreation centers.

 

Additional funding over the amount needed for the toy drive will be placed in the YSI Scholarship Fund, which helps fund year-round recreation programs for low-income youth.

 

For more information, call Shelly Ruspakka, Parks and Recreation, at 303-413-7214