By Lauren Grice
Colen Built Cares is honored to support two meaningful holiday initiatives this season: the Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots® Drive and Operation Christmas Child. These efforts reflect our ongoing commitment to uplifting families in need and strengthening the spirit of service across all Colen Built communities.
This year’s holiday giving follows the tremendous success of our September food drive, benefiting the Interfaith Emergency Services Food Pantry. Thanks to the generosity of residents, employees, and partners, we collected 3,309 pounds of food, with additional donations still being counted. A special thank you goes to residents who volunteered with pickups, sorting, and drop‑offs – your dedication ensured donations reached Interfaith quickly and supported households relying on monthly supplemental grocery assistance.
From Monday, Nov. 16 through Tuesday, Dec. 1, residents may donate new, unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots at the following locations:
Leland Management Office (5575 SW 67th Ave Rd)
Master the Possibilities (8415 SW 80th St #2)
Sholom Park (7110 SW 80th Ave)
Calesa Township Sales Center (6404 SW 78th Ct.)
On Top of the World Sales Center (8447 SW 99th St. Rd.)
Amenity Buildings: The Arbors, Recreation Center, The Lodge at Candler Hills, Indigo Community Center, Indigo Fitness Center, The Landing, The Summit, and Resident Services
Those wishing to participate in Operation Christmas Child may select items from the giving tree in the second-floor lobby at the Recreation Center. These contributions help fill shoeboxes delivered to children around the world.
Every contribution, whether a toy, a selected item from the giving tree, or a moment spent spreading the word, helps brighten the holiday season for children and families. Residents, employees, and community partners are encouraged to involve neighbors, share the initiative, and make giving a part of their November routine. Together, we can continue the momentum of our community’s generosity and make a meaningful difference this holiday season.