DENVER Colo, (KDVR) — In the season of giving, an online vintage clothing store owner has partnered with multiple businesses to give back to the community he grew up in.
Hundreds of Christmas presents were donated in the RiNo district to families in need for the third annual Curtis Park Toy Giveaway. Lines were wrapped around the corner of Lawrence Street Sunday morning.
“It’s a passion project for me,” said Angelo Ramirez, founder of the giveaway.
Ramirez lives for the smiles and laughter you could see and hear at the Enterprise Coworking Center.
“You can see there’s a lot of people already shopping,” he said. “I like to see the kids’ smiley faces when they receive their gifts.”
One by one, hundreds of children and families got to pick from a treasure trove. Including Maliaha and her family.
“First time coming. We try to go to a lot of them, but the lines are so long and they run out fast too, so luckily we were able to Come today and get a gift,” she said.
Although the event is branded as a toy giveaway there was much more than that. From gift wrapping, taking pictures with Santa, face painting, arts and craft, massage for adults, apple cider, hot cocoa, free haircuts, and styles. There was something for everyone.
“I’m pretty grateful for this event,” said Maliaha. “We didn’t have a lot of money this year so it’s been really helpful.”
Ramirez is also the owner of 300Gems, an online vintage clothing store. It was a dream of his to always give back to the place where he grew up.
“This is amazing,” he said. “This is my community and I love to see my community prosper.”
Hilda Arellano, a volunteer at the event said, “We’ve had a lot of families who have come back year after year and we recognize them and we know them just seeing the looks on the kids’ faces. The families come in stressed out and just leaving with a smile on their face, trying to just do the best for their kids that’s what Christmas is about.”
Ramirez said he starts planning in September for the giveaway. So far this year has been the largest turnout. He estimates about 500 families showed up Sunday.
For more information about getting involved or donating, you can go to the Facebook page for Curtis Park Toy Giveaway.
