Nov. 20, 2015 DENVER - The University of Denver Division of Athletics and Recreation has teamed up with CBS4, KCNC-TV Denver and New Balance in support of the Care 4 Colorado Toy Drive to benefit the Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver. The University's Daniel L. Ritchie Center will serve as a toy drop location before all athletic events, including hockey, men's basketball and women's basketball games at Magness Arena. Pioneer fans are encouraged to donate new, unwrapped toys now until December 17.

"Our partnership with CBS4 is a fantastic way for our DU pioneer nation to support our neighbors in the Denver community," Associate Vice Chancellor for External Affairs Ryan Peck said. "We are a private university dedicated to the public good, so it is great having our fans, student-athletes, and university family donate items to the Care 4 Colorado Toy Drive this holiday season. It is certainly a great cause and the University of Denver is proud to be a partner."

The University of Denver's Division of Athletics and Recreation will be collecting donations at all DU home games. All who donate will receive a coupon to attend a FREE basketball game. There will also be a "Drop off Site" on the north side of the Daniel L. Ritchie Center from 9am-12pm on Saturday, December 5 prior to the men's basketball game at 2 pm versus Air Force.

Pioneer fans can drop off toys at the marketing kiosk or the Ritchie Center box office prior to all athletic events through December 17. The contests dates and times are as follows:

Men's Basketball:
11/25 vs. Idaho State @ 4 pm
12/5 vs. Air Force @ 2 pm
11/28 vs. South Alabama @ 2 pm
12/13 vs. Weber State at 12 pm

Women's Basketball:
12/9 vs. Wyoming @ 12 pm
12/17 vs. UIC @ 7 pm

Hockey:
12/11 vs. St. Cloud State @ 7:36 pm
12/12 vs. St. Cloud State @ 7:06 pm

Gymnastics:
12/12 Crimson vs. Gold Intrasquad 6:00 pm

Toys collected through the Care 4 Colorado Toy Drive will be distributed at Boys & Girls Clubs' holiday parties beginning in mid-December. University of Denver Cheerleaders will be on hand at select Boys & Girls Club locations to help distribute the gifts to the many children in need. Additional donated items will be used throughout the year in all of the clubs as prizes for the Power Hour learning center program, where kids can earn prizes for doing their homework.

"Denver Cheer is honored to support the Boys and Girls Club of Metro Denver Toy Drive again this year," head cheer coach Wendy Kraus Roberts said. "Every child deserves to experience a great holiday season and we want to do everything we can to support the kids in our community.

"Helping the Denver Toy Drive and giving back to kids is the perfect way to spread love and holiday cheer," added senior cheer captain Kaylie Nickell. "What kind of world would this be if we didn't help each other?"

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Metro Denver has been helping young people make the most of their lives since 1961, when the first Club opened its doors to kids who needed a positive place to spend free time. Today, both boys and girls are served at 16 youth facilities located throughout the Denver Metro area.

For more information: Call Denver Athletics at 303-871-7973, CBS4, KCNC-TV-Denver at 303-861-4444, The Boys & Girls Club of Metro Denver at 303-892-9200 or visit www.cbsdenver.com or www.GreatFuturesDenver.org.