For many, the winter holidays are about giving. And for some, that means opening their wallets for service-orientated nonprofits that work to improve the lives of the less fortunate.

But area nonprofits that rely on holiday fundraisers, which often center around community gatherings, are being forced to get creative during the era of COVID-19.

Across the board, nonprofits are reporting lower donations than usual as donors face financial stress related to the pandemic. But even as funding decreases, the services many nonprofits provide have become increasingly necessary as a result of hardships associated with the pandemic.

The holidays are an important time for nonprofits in the region. Some organizations operate only one or two events related to the holidays, while others rely on holiday-themed events to provide a large portion of their funding for the year. During a typical year, many of those fundraisers or events take place in-person. Many local organizations have found ways to transition events online or to adjust events to have lower in-person contact.

Here’s a snapshot of how some organizations are adjusting to the new challenges.

Shop with a Cop is an annual holiday event organized by the local Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 8. The lodge is made up of more than 100 members from nine different law enforcement agencies across Southwest Colorado.

In a normal year, families and kids meet about 80 officers early in the morning at Walmart. Each child is then paired with one or two officers and is able to walk through the store and pick out anything he or she wants, spending up to $150 on clothes and toys.

The event is supposed to encourage better relationships between community members and law enforcement.

“It’s a way to humanize our officers and to allow us to interact with families who don’t always see us as helpful,” said Nick Stasi, a sergeant with Durango Police Department and president of FOP Lodge 8. “We want to show the families and the kids we’re here to help you. We want to be good stewards of the community and we want to give back.”

Stasi knew the event had to look different this year, but he wanted to honor the spirit of the gathering, rather than just provide gift cards. So, this year, children and their families can go shopping at Walmart anytime – Pagosa Springs was this past Thursday, and until Dec. 17 in Durango. After picking out toys and clothing with a maximum value of $150, they will put the items in layaway. On the morning of Dec. 17 in Durango (and this past Thursday in Pagosa Springs), the FOP will pay for all the items and hand them out to families in a drive-thru setting from 8 to 10 a.m. in the parking lots.

To support 200 children, the FOP hopes to raise $30,000. The lodge is a little more than halfway there, but is looking for donations. Donations can be dropped off at the Durango Police Department or mailed to Shop with a Cop, P.O. Box 2172, Durango, CO, 81302.

Children and families who want to participate can sign up through La Plata County Human Services.

Carla Wood, services coordinator for the local branch of the Salvation Army, said the pandemic is affecting the number of people willing to ring bells outside stores.

“A lot of the people that usually bell-ring for Salvation Army are reluctant to ring this year due to the pandemic, which is definitely understandable, but we need bell-ringers right now,” Wood said.

Wood said she expects the shortage of bell-ringers to “considerably affect” the amount of money the usual holiday fundraiser brings in for the organization.

To make bell-ringing as safe as possible, all volunteers will stand outside and be provided with sanitizing spray for the bells and individually packaged face masks, aprons and gloves.

The money raised during the holiday bell-ringing sessions is put toward general Salvation Army efforts: homelessness prevention, ensuring housing opportunities for people and helping residents continue to pay rent or keep their vehicles running.

The organization spent more than $42,000 in utility assistance this past year in the county.

Bell-ringing is the organization’s largest fundraiser and brings in anywhere from $70,000 to $100,000.

New this year, there are also QR codes on the signs if people feel safer donating from their phones.

To volunteer, residents can visit volunteer.usawest.org. To donate, visit the La Plata County Salvation Army website.

This is the first year Toys for Tots is taking place in La Plata County, and the pandemic is not making it an easy launch, said coordinator Malleri Culak.

Toys for Tots is a nonprofit organization run by the Marine Corps Reserve with a stated mission “to provide new, unwrapped toys to the needy children in the community,” Culak said.

The biggest hurdle for the organization related to COVID-19 is the distribution event. The organization hoped to host an event where dinner would be provided, kids could see Santa and the presents would be handed out. But like many events this year, it will not be happening. The organization is brainstorming alternatives.

“Even with COVID, our main priority right now is ... to help those kids that are needing toys,” Culak said. She emphasized there are greater needs this year, as many people have experienced financial hardships associated with the pandemic.

La Plata County Toys for Tots is welcoming monetary donations that will go directly toward toys and will stay in La Plata County.

Community Connections, which lends support to children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, transitioned the 17th annual Festival of Trees to a virtual format.

Historically, the event has coincided with Noel Night and takes place in the Durango & Silverton Narrow Gauge Railroad’s Grange Hall. Within the hall, there are typically dozens of locally sponsored trees and wreaths that spectators can bid on. Community Connections Vice President of Marketing & Development Ellen Stein estimated more than 900 people viewed the spectacle last year. It’s the organization’s biggest fundraiser of the year.

More than 60 trees and wreaths will be up in the Grange Hall this year, however, to comply with local COVID-19 restrictions, the event will take place virtually from noon to 5 p.m. Friday to Sunday. Viewers can take a virtual tour of the trees, as well as bid on the gifts and decorations on the trees until 5 p.m. Sunday. There are also four vacation package raffles participants can enter until Dec. 14.

To learn more, or to participate virtually, visit https://bit.ly/3mBKbyB.

smarvin@durangoherald.com