Bring a toy to “Hope for the Holidays” this Saturday in Denver

This year, The Salvation Army in Metro Denver has more requests than ever for help during Christmas, so Colorado’s Own Channel 2 and Fox 31 teamed up with Pepsi Co and Sam’s Club to help the Army get all the gifts it needs in the Hope for the Holidays Toy Drive Dec. 10.

“We are expecting an increase of [people in need] around 10-12 percent this year, with more last minute families than ever,” said Lt. Colonel Daniel Starrett, Intermountain divisional commander.

“All of our Sam’s Club locations are currently accepting toys,” said Tracy Carter of Sam’s Club. “We encourage our associates and members of the community to donate as many toys as they can during this event.

From 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., participants can drop off new, unwrapped toys at the television station or at one of the eight participating Sam’s Club locations.

Employees from Sam’s Club volunteered to help with the loading of the toys Dec. 10. Pepsi is working with Sam’s Club to help promote the event, but are also bringing in volunteers and trucks for toy collection.

“This isn’t about us or our partners, it’s about serving children,” Starrett said. “The goal is to collect as many toys as we can to try and make Christmas merry for every child.”