Local radio stations KOXE and Wendlee Broadcasting (KQBZ The Breeze & Newstalk 102.3) will be hosting toy drives on Wednesday, December 19th to help Brown County children have a better Christmas.

The collections will start early with Wendlee Broadcasting.  Their toy drive will start at 6:00 a.m., lasting all day, with a live remote at Bank of America’s parking lot just off of Main Street.   Last year Wendlee brought in $8400 in donations and three truckloads of toys.

KOXE will also be working hard from their studios (300 Carnegie) all day from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. during their drive called “Two Steppin’ for Toys.”  Local businesses and organizations sign up each year to help by holding toy drives ahead of time and manning the event, soliciting donations from passersby throughout the day.  This event raised over $11,000 in toys and donations last year.  Those interested in helping with the drive may contact KOXE at 325-646-3505.

A larger number of children are registered through Toys for Kids than previous years, so many more donations are needed.  Mark your calendar for Wednesday, December 19th and make a donation to help a child have a better Christmas at either location.

Both toy drives will benefit Brown County Toys for Kids.  Toys for Kids is a program that helps make it possible for some area kids to receive Christmas gifts who otherwise would not get any toys. Registration for Toys for Kids ends December 13th and Toy Distribution Day is scheduled for Saturday December 22nd and will begin around 8:00am and last through 5:00pm.  Each child receives three toys through the program so the number of toys needed is huge.  To make a donation directly to Toys for Kids, for more information, or to volunteer, call Toys for Kids at 325-646-6822.

Pictured above are National Guardsmen with their truckload of donations during the 2011 toy drive.