Dear Readers:
Times are tough. There’s no getting around it. But if you think things are hard for you, consider the impact the economic downturn has had on our neighbors who were already living on the verge of poverty.
As we recently reported, the number of children living in poverty in our state grew 73 percent from 2000 to 2006. More than 191,000 young people are part of families living below the poverty level. This is one of the major issues that The Denver Post Season to Share program works to address, by funding local charities that serve low-income children, as well as those who are hungry, homeless or in need of medical care.
Both in this section and in articles to run in the coming weeks, you will read stories about individuals in need and local nonprofit organizations working to serve those needs — organizations that have applied for funding from Season to Share, a McCormick Foundation Fund.
With your help, we can make a difference in the lives of needy individuals in our community. I encourage you to lend a helping hand and contribute to Season to Share.
As Colorado’s largest daily newspaper, we have an obligation to inform you of the issues facing our community. We take that responsibility one step further with Season to Share, both by shining a light on the tremendous work being done by local nonprofits and by spearheading a fundraising campaign to support the work they do.
Last year a record $2,341,500 was distributed to 74 local charities. That’s a significant amount, but there’s still more to be done.
When you donate to Season to Share, every dollar is matched at 50 cents by the McCormick Foundation. In addition, The Denver Post and the McCormick Foundation pay all administrative and promotional expenses so that 100 percent of your contribution, plus the match, goes directly to local nonprofits. That’s one of the best charitable investments I know of.
As you prepare for the coming holidays, I hope you’ll take a moment to think about the people featured in this section. And when you do, know that you can make a difference in their lives by giving to Season to Share. A gift of any size is greatly appreciated.
“Lives are changed by the Season to Share program,” said Jim Hiner, president and chief executive of YMCA of Metropolitan Denver, a Season to Share applicant and one of the nonprofit organizations working to serve those 191,000-plus children living in poverty. You can be a part of that change.
It probably won’t surprise you to learn that Season to Share is my favorite charity. I hope it will become yours, as well.
Gregory L. Moore
Editor, The Denver Post
