Tuesday marked the annual toy drives for KOXE/KBWD and Wendlee Broadcasting as the radio stations combined to gather more than 2,300 toys and $16,000 for Brown County Toys for Kids, as Distribution Day is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 21.

The Two-Steppin’ for Toys event at KOXE/KBWD resulted in 1,151 toys and $7,272.70 in donations. Meanwhile, the Wendlee toy drive tallied $9,400 and approximately 1,150 toys.

Brown County Toys for Kids originated in 1997 and 28 Christmases later the program is as strong as ever.  Wanda Thacker Martin and the late Dennis Thacker founded the first Brown County Toys for Kids event, and Martin and her three daughters – Stacee Hetzel, Krissi Prince, Carrie Walters, and their families – are still the driving forces behind Toys for Kids.

This year, Brown County Toys for Kids will assist 507 families in need of assistance for Christmas.