We believe everyone can give something to those in need. And we believe when that happens, everyone benefits. That’s why we created “Everyone gives, Everyone gains,” a continually updated, year-round list of ways you can help people here.
The following is a list of some of the many efforts happening in Laramie County this year to make the holidays brighter for those in need.
To give your money
How it’s used: Funds the Laramie County Community Christmas Program, which provides holiday meals to low-income families.
To donate: Mail checks payable to Empty Stocking Fund to P.O. Box 3202, Cheyenne, WY 82003. Donors also can use the Venmo app and search for “Empty Stocking Fund Donation.”
American Legion Bar Bucks
How it’s used: Funds the Laramie County Community Christmas Program, which provides holiday meals to low-income families.
To donate: Visit a local bar that is participating and donate to the Bar Bucks program.
The Little Red Stocking by Wyoming Children’s Society
When: During the holiday season and throughout the year
How it’s used: Since 1911, Wyoming Children’s Society has served women faced with a crisis pregnancy and children in need of permanent, adoptive families. Donations will provide housing, food, transportation and counseling for pregnant women in crisis; as well as funding programs that recruit and prepare families to provide permanent homes for children in need.
To donate: Visit www.wyomingcs.org or send to Wyoming Children’s Society, 314 E. 21st St., Cheyenne, WY 82001 or call 307-632-7619.
Sponsor: Wyoming Children’s Society
The Salvation Army’s red kettle campaign
When: Through 4 p.m. Dec. 24
How it’s used: Funds The Salvation Army’s programs all year. All money donated stays in Cheyenne.
To donate: Drop money into red kettles next to accompanying bell ringers at many local grocery stores and large department stores around town or visit 601 E. 20th St. to donate. Donations also can be made online at cheyenne.salvationarmy.org.
Sponsor: The Salvation Army
Nachos Navidad at Taco John’s
When: Now through Dec. 31
How it’s used: This year’s proceeds go to ForMak, a local nonprofit dedicated to improving crosswalk safety measures and awareness at schools. Each year, this effort raises about $10,000 for the local program chosen.
To donate: Taco John’s is donating a portion of the cost of every Nachos Navidad bought during this period. In addition, customers are encouraged to round up their purchase total or make an additional donation to help make sure local schoolchildren have enough to eat on the weekend.
Sponsor: Cheyenne Taco John’s restaurants
How it’s used: To provide new toys to children who otherwise wouldn’t get them.
To donate: Mail a check to Toys for Tots, 1964 County Road 124, Cheyenne, WY 82009; call Wendi Henderson at 678-215-7584; visit www.cheyenne-wy.toysfortots.org; or email ynwendi@aol.com. Be sure to label checks for the local campaign so the money stays in Cheyenne.
Sponsors: U.S. Marine Corps Reserve and Fleet Reserve Association, Wyoming Branch/Unit 59
When: Donations accepted primarily through Dec. 20. However, donations can be made any time throughout the year.
How it’s used: This year, CASA will be using donations for Christmas gifts and/or gift cards for children’s clothing items (newborn to 18 years old). No donation is too small to make a difference.
Sponsor: Court-Appointed Special Advocates of Laramie County
East Cares Program at Cheyenne’s East High
When: Year-round, but a priority leading up to Christmas
How it’s used: Staff members have been raising money and collecting items for about the last 20 years for students at the school who, without outside sources, would not have a Christmas.
In addition, the program operates a pantry at the school, which collects nonperishable food, personal hygiene items, socks, etc. year-round for students in need.
To donate: Monetary donations or $25 gift cards can be dropped off during school hours, 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 2800 E. Pershing Blvd., or mailed to the school (zip code is 82001). Please make checks payable to East Cares or East High School, with East Cares in the memo line.
Who to contact: Annette Cathcart or Michelle Lambert at 307-771-2663.
When: Donations to Cheyenne’s Needs Inc. are appreciated year-round.
How it’s used: Funds are used to provide food boxes for low-income residents of Laramie County.
To donate: Mail financial gifts to Needs Inc., 900 Central Ave., Cheyenne, WY 82007. Checks should be made payable to Needs Inc.
Who to contact: Call Kristen-Erin Balderaz at 307-632-4132 for more information.
St. Joseph’s Food Pantry
When: Now and throughout the year.
What: St. Joseph’s Food Pantry is seeking financial donations to help stock its shelves.
Where: Send donations to St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, P.O. Box 1141, Cheyenne, WY 82003. Make checks payable to St. Joseph’s Food Pantry.
More information: St. Joseph’s Food Pantry provides weekly food baskets for those in need in Laramie County. Financial donations are used to offset the cost of buying food from Food Bank of Wyoming.
Who to contact: Call Eva Estorga at 307-275-0567.
When: Through Monday, Dec. 12.
What: The Pine Bluffs Junior/Senior High Student Council is collecting money for its Buddy Bucks program to help buy Christmas presents for families in need in Pine Bluffs, Burns, Albin and Carpenter.
Where: Donations can be mailed to Pine Bluffs Junior/Senior High, P.O. Box 520, Pine Bluffs, WY 82082.
More information: Last year, Pine Bluffs students raised $2,500 for the Buddy Bucks program. The Student Council has a list of underprivileged families, and uses the money to buy toys, winter clothes and gift cards for those families. This is the program’s 21st year.
Who to contact: Pine Bluffs Student Council adviser Ashley Rousseau at 307-245-4000.
Meals on Wheels of Cheyenne
What: Donations to Meals on Wheels of Cheyenne. Funds will be used to buy food for residents in need in Cheyenne and Laramie County. More than 100,000 meals are served annually.
To donate: Mail a check or credit card information to Meals on Wheels of Cheyenne, 2015 S. Greeley Highway, Cheyenne, WY 82007 or call 307-635-5542, extension 0. An online donation can be made by going to mealsonwheelsofcheyenne.com.
Family Promise of Cheyenne
When: Now and throughout the year
What: Family Promise provides shelter and resources to help families facing homelessness. Monetary donations, diapers and wipes, and gift cards (food, uber/taxi, gas, Walmart, grocery) are needed to house and help shelter families.
Who to contact: Call 307-772-8770.
To give your time
Bell ringer for The Salvation Army
When: Through Christmas Eve
What: The Salvation Army needs volunteers to serve as red kettle bell ringers, though the organization will pay $11-$12 per hour to those looking to make some extra money during the holiday season.
More information: Call 209-822-0181 for available shifts.
Who to contact: Capt. Saul Smoak, 209-822-0181.
Preparing, delivering food to those in need
What: Delivery drivers and kitchen helpers are needed for Meals on Wheels of Cheyenne. The driving commitment is up to two hours per day, Monday through Friday only. Businesses are encouraged to adopt a driving route, as well.
More information: Call Merri at 307-635-5542, extension 104, if you are interested in volunteering.
To give your items
What: The Wyoming Coalition for the Homeless provides gifts for homeless residents on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Current clothing items needed: new gloves, knit hats, sweaters, scarves, flannel shirts (M-2XL), men’s jeans (sizes 32-42), men’s underwear, white socks, men’s coats (M-2XL) and inexpensive backpacks to give as Christmas gifts to homeless residents.
Prepared food items are always welcome for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day meals, which are served at 11 a.m. each day.
Also, monetary donations are needed to cover utilities and daily operating costs.
Where: Donations should be dropped off at 907 Campbell Ave.
Food, other items for local homeless shelter
What: COMEA House provides housing and transitional living instruction to homeless individuals and families in the Cheyenne area. Food and other items needed include: Perishable food items (bread, butter/margarine, milk, eggs, cheese, fresh/frozen vegetables, salad mix); cold cereal, noodles and canned food items (dated 2022 or later); coffee, creamer, sugar/sugar substitute packets; paper goods (paper towels, toilet paper, napkins and paper plates/cups); cleaning products, laundry detergent, bleach, fabric softener, trash bags and rubber gloves; office supplies (envelopes, tape, staples, copy paper, file folders and White Out); postage stamps; bus tokens (passes); gas cards and retail gift cards; winter and work boots; new socks, underwear and long underwear; winter (insulated) gloves/hats, stocking caps and winter face masks; insulated coveralls; diapers (all sizes); new coloring books, crayons and school supplies; monetary support for special projects and operation costs.
Where: Donations should be dropped off at 1421 W. Lincolnway. Please call before taking large donations to the shelter.
Who to contact: Robin Zimmer, executive director, 307-632-3174.
Clothing, food items for low-income residents
What: Needs Inc. provides temporary food and clothing assistance to low-income Laramie County residents. Clothing items and nonperishable food.
Where: Donations should be dropped off at Needs Inc., 900 Central Ave., Cheyenne.
Who to contact: Call Needs Inc. staff at 307-632-4132.
Food items for those in need
When: Now and throughout the year.
What: St. Joseph’s Food Pantry is seeking both nonperishable and perishable food items to add to weekly food baskets for those in need.
Where: Drop off donations to the pantry’s warehouse at 206 Van Lennen Ave., Cheyenne, between 10 a.m. and 12:45 p.m. Monday through Thursday. (Other times available by appointment.)
Who to contact: Call Eva Estorga at 307-275-0567.
What: Annual USMC Reserve Toys for Tots campaign to help children who otherwise wouldn’t get new toys at Christmas.
Who to contact: Wendi Henderson, 678-215-7584.
The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree toy drive
What: The Salvation Army is collecting toys for needy families through its annual Angel Tree program. More than 500 children are signed up to receive gifts.
Where: Take a tag from a Christmas tree at JC Penney at Frontier Mall, both Walmart stores, North Christian Church, Texas Roadhouse, Coldwell Banker, Olive Garden, Shari’s, Old Chicago and others; buy the toy listed on the tag; take the toy and tag to The Salvation Army, 601 E. 20th St.
Toys also are being collected at both Walmart stores in Cheyenne until Dec. 18 to benefit those served by The Salvation Army locally.
Who to contact: Call The Salvation Army at 307-634-2769 and ask for Audrie.
Gifts for children served by Safe Harbor
Where: Safe Harbor, 2712 Thomes Ave., Cheyenne, WY 82001
What: Donations for the children served by Safe Harbor, a children’s justice center helping children in Laramie County through its services of promoting the multidisciplinary approach to child-abuse investigations, child forensic interviews, supervised visitation and safe exchange programs, and outreach and education on child abuse. Needed donations include Christmas bags, toys, games, new books and DVDs. Cash donations will be accepted, as well, to support the program.
Who to contact: Contact Lynn or Ceejae at 307-632-1708 with questions.
Adopt a Child for Christmas
When: Donations accepted Saturday, Dec. 3, at Storey Gym and in advance at three local businesses.
What: Support Our Students is conducting the ninth annual Adopt A Child for Christmas. With more than 1,500 kids to be adopted, donations are definitely needed.
How it works: Find the first initial of your last name below, and that is the size(s) you will shop for. Bring one item or 100 items (everything will be used); shop for girls or boys or both.
If your last name starts with: A & B, sizes adult 2XL-3XL; C & D, size adult XL; E & F, sizes 17-18 or adult L; G & H, sizes 15-16 or adult M; I & J, sizes 13-14 or adult S; K & L, sizes 11-12 or adult XS; M & N, sizes 9-10; O & P, sizes 7-8; Q, R & S, sizes 5-6; T, U & V, sizes 2-4T; W, X, Y & Z, size 12 months.
Toys and hygiene items are also appreciated; choose anything that appeals to you.
Where: Donations should be dropped off in advance at Lynn Manages Houses, 700 E. 19th St., 2 Doors Down, 118 E. 17th St., or Laramie County Abstract, 433 E. 19th St., or on the day of the event at Storey Gym, 2810 House Ave. Donations also can be made using Venmo @Support-OurStudents.
Who to contact: Call or text Luis Mendoza at 307-275-0162.
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