The Rainbow Center in Thornton is scrambling to provide gifts for hundreds of children from newborns to 15 years old via its annual Santa Shop. Last year the Rainbow Center provided gifts for 557 children throughout Adams County.

“We need holiday stockings and new toys,” said program director Gloria Anderson. “We also really need new and gently used books, children’s clothing and family games.”

Please deliver unwrapped donations to the Rainbow Center, 2140 E 88th Ave., Thornton by Tuesday, Dec. 17. For more information, contact Anderson at 303-287-2902 or by email at GAnderson@bhiinc.org.

Children who receive Santa Shop toys are family members of Rainbow Center clients or are referred by Community Reach Center, a nonprofit mental-health provider with five outpatient offices in Adams County. This service is provided exclusively for children and families in treatment for mental-health issues who are in financial need of this support.

The Rainbow Center is a nonprofit, drop-in center for adults with mental-health issues that helps end isolation and provides social and life skills support.

County accepting Christmas trees

The county will accept trees from Adams County residents for recycling from Thursday, Dec. 26, through Monday, Jan. 13, at the Adams County Regional Park and Fairgrounds, 9755 Henderson Road, Brighton. The site is located one mile west of Hwy. 85 on 124th Ave.

For additional information, county residents are encouraged to call the Parks Department at 303-637-8000 or go to the county web site at www.adcogov.org.

The Regional Park will accept trees daily from sunrise until sunset. Follow signs at the park to the self-drop-off site.

Ornaments, tinsel, garlands, flock, nails and stands must be removed before dropping off trees. There is a limit of two trees per family.

Please note that absolutely no tree limbs, yard waste or trees from commercial operations will be accepted at the Regional Park.

For additional information, county residents are encouraged to call the Parks Department at 303-637-8000 or go to the county web site at www.adcogov.org.

ACHA helps with Operation Free Bird

This year the Adams County Housing Authority (ACHA) doubled the amount of food donated from staff, residents and community partners to help support the Annual Operation Free Bird event. Operation Free Bird is led by the Adams County Sheriff’s Office, King Soopers, Rocky’s Auto, ACHA and other community sponsors. This is ACHA’s sixth year to team-up with the Adams County Sheriff’s Department who is celebrating their 10-year anniversary for hosting this event. The Sheriff’s Office helps Adams County low-income families enjoy their holiday meal by providing them with a certificate good for $12.00 towards the purchase of a turkey. Last year they provided more than 6,500 certificates to needy families, and this year they planned to exceed that number.

Despite the cold weather, the Adams County Housing Authority was on hand to distribute bags with all the side dishes to complete their holiday meal. Each bag contained non-perishable items, including stuffing, mashed potatoes, vegetables, cranberries, muffin mix and gravy mix. Last year ACHA distributed more than 350 bags to needy families; this year they distributed more than 550 bags.