Each year, the holiday season is made a little brighter for more than 900 local children receiving gifts through the CROSS Holiday Toy Shop – made possible through the generosity of community donations and volunteer assistance.
In addition to providing food, clothing, and housing assistance, CROSS Services provides support to families living in Champlin (west), Corcoran, Dayton, Maple Grove, Osseo, and Rogers to ensure they have the opportunity to enjoy family celebrations throughout the year. Families seeking assistance this holiday season are encouraged to visit CROSSservices.org or call 763-425-1050 for more information.
Several businesses are collecting toy and/or food donations for families in need through CROSS Services in November and December. Toy donations are also accepted 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18 at Lord of Life Lutheran Church, 7401 County Road 101, Maple Grove.
Items in greatest need for 2015 are gifts for teenagers. A few ideas include gifts cards for books, clothing, entertainment, and general merchandise. Other suggestions include headphones/ear buds, tool sets, sport bags, video games, and board games.
Look for the CROSS Services barrel or signs at the businesses and events below to know your nonperishable food and/or new, unwrapped toy donation will help a local family.
21st Century Bank
21660 South Diamond Lake Road, Rogers
Nov. 23 through Dec. 15
Collecting new, unwrapped toys, nonperishable food, and monetary donations
Donations can be dropped off during regular business hours
Dairy Queen – Maple Grove
13770 83rd Way North, Maple Grove
Nov. 30 through Dec. 17
Collecting new, unwrapped toys
Donations can be dropped off daily between 10:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.
Dairy Queen – Rogers
13560 Rogers Drive, Rogers
Nov. 30 through Dec. 17
Collecting nonperishable food
Donations can be dropped off daily between 10:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m.
EyeWest Vision Clinic in Rogers
13900 Northdale Boulevard, Rogers
Collecting nonperishable food
Donations can be dropped off:
8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday and Wednesday
8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and Thursday
8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday
Frankie’s Pizza
13724 83rd Way, Maple Grove
Dec. 1-18
Collecting new, unwrapped toys and winter boots, hats, mittens.
Donations can be dropped off:
11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday
11 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday
11 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday
Kalla Lily – Maple Grove & Medina
9851 Maple Grove Parkway, Maple Grove
325 Clydesdale Trail Suite 300, Medina
Collecting new, unwrapped toys and nonperishable food
Nov. 19 through Dec. 17
Donations can be dropped off:
9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday
8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday
Maple Grove Hospital
9875 Hospital Drive, Maple Grove
Collecting new, unwrapped toys and nonperishable food
Dec. 1 through Dec. 14
Maple Grove Smiles Dentistry
12737 Elm Creek Boulevard N, Maple Grove
Nov. 24 through Dec. 17
Collecting new, unwrapped toys
Donations can be dropped off:
7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Thursday
8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday
9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 5
Paradise Car Wash
13521 80th Circle N, Maple Grove
Collecting new, unwrapped toys and nonperishable food
Donations can be dropped off:
8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday
8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday
Park Dental – Champlin
12180 Business Park Blvd N, Champlin
Collecting new, unwrapped toys and nonperishable food
Nov. 11 through Dec. 17
Donations can be dropped off:
7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Thursday
7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday
7 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday
Food donations will also be accepted during the “Skate with Santa” event Dec. 20 in Champlin
Prime Advertising and Design
6450 Wedgwood Road N Suite 100, Maple Grove
Collecting new, unwrapped toys and nonperishable food
Donations can be dropped off during regular business hours.
Snap Fitness Maple Grove
9475 Garland Lane N, Maple Grove
Collecting new, unwrapped toys and nonperishable food
Donations can be dropped off during regular business hours.
Spire Credit Union Maple Grove
9580 Blackoaks Ln N, Maple Grove
Nov. 1 through Dec. 11
Collecting new, unwrapped toys
Donations can be dropped off:
9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Thursday
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday
9 a.m. to noon Saturday
Wenck Associates
1800 Pioneer Creek Center, Maple Plain
Through Dec. 11.
Collecting nonperishable food
Donations can be dropped off 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday
Upcoming Events
Santa’s Magical Workshop
10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 28 at the Fountains at Arbor Lakes, Maple Grove
Stop by Dave and Buster’s during the annual Santa’s Magical Workshop and drop off a new, unwrapped toy and nonperishable food item.
Light the Grove at Maple Grove Hospital
5-7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3
9875 Hospital Drive, Maple Grove
Caroling, horse-drawn trolley rides, meet Santa, and take photos with his reindeer — and drop off a new, unwrapped toy for the CROSS Holiday Toy Shop and/or a nonperishable food donation. Collection continues through Dec. 14.
Breakfast with Santa
Hosted by the Rogers Lions Club
8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 6
Rogers Community Center, 21201 Memorial Drive, Rogers
Free will donation – all proceeds go to CROSS. Children are invited to bring a canned food donation for the food shelf and receive a free picture with Santa.