Empty Stocking Fund

In 1984, The Gazette established the Empty Stocking Fund with the ultimate goal of filling empty stockings with Christmas toys, clothing, and other items for families in need during the holiday season. The Gazette raised over $40,000 that year in cash and goods, which assisted a total of 27 families in need. The next year, they launched the first official campaign and assisted 36 families. In 1994, the campaign shifted its focus to become a community-led fundraiser that distributes all of the money raised to health and human services partner agencies in the Pikes Peak region. They started out with only five partner agencies, and the campaign now represents 20 of the strongest agencies in the region.

In 1997, El Pomar Foundation came onto the campaign with a generous matching grant of $1 for every $3 raised, up to $200,000. Two years later, in 1999, the Bruni Foundation joined the partnership to match $1 for every $10 raised, up to $70,000. Due to these generous matching grants, as well as support from the Anschutz Foundation, all administrative costs are covered. This means that 100% of the funds raised go directly to the 20 health and human services partner agencies, and every dollar donated has the opportunity to grow up to 45%.

While no longer filling stockings, the 35th annual Gazette-El Pomar Foundation Empty Stocking Fund provides resources for 20 local health and human services agencies in the Pikes Peak region. Each agency uniquely assists individuals and families in times of crisis with the intent to help them attain self-sufficiency. Over the past eight years, the fund has raised over $1 million annually, with more than $20 million raised since the Fund’s inception.