The goal of the holiday gift bags, which the ABC children will receive tomorrow at a special party the CVA is having for them, is not just to give the kids presents, but to expose the Graland students to the idea that not all children can afford art supplies.

ABC (Art Builds Communities) is an art participation program in conjunction with the Denver Housing Authority. Providing after-school workshops and other arts-related experiences in Denver Housing Authority sites, ABC involves about 500 kids a year in creative projects.

The holiday gift bag effort is spearheaded by CVA advisory board member Mark Berzins, who is president of the Little Pub Company (owners of Three Dogs Tavern, The Irish Hound and Spot Bar and Grills in Denver).

"When they told me that some of these kids don't know how to use scissors," Berzins says, "and I see that my kids have so many crayons and supplies, it's not a big leap to say, 'Why don't we get all these kids some crayons and water colors and let them enjoy art at home?'" This is the fourth year Berzins has donated the art supplies for the ABC holiday gifts.

Santa, portrayed by part-time industrial design faculty member Glenn Aaron, will distribute the gift bags to some 80 kids who will attend the ABC holiday party at the Boettcher Mansion, which donated the space. Aaron also secured a donated bus to ferry the children to and from the party.

This holiday season, the ABC students did some giving of their own as well, decorating 230 ornaments as favors for the Alumni Association reception held before the Dec. 9 performance of the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Spectacular.