Tuesday marked the annual toy drives for KOXE/KBWD and Wendlee Broadcasting as the radio stations combined to gather over 2,000 toys and nearly $18,000 in monetary donations for Brown County Toys for Kids.

The 20th annual Two-Steppin’ for Toys event at KOXE/KBWD resulted in 1,090 toys – including 26 bikes – and $10,422.21 in donations. The money received Tuesday was the fifth most in the history of the Two-Steppin’ for Toys event.

Meanwhile, the Wendlee toy drive tallied more than $7,000 in donations and the most toys received in the history of their event, topping last year’s total of approximately 1,150 toys, according to Stacee Hetzel with Toys for Kids.

In the 20 years of the Two-Steppin’ for Toys event, KOXE/KBWD has received 25,274 toys and raised $161,925.36 for Toys for Kids.

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 just over 500 families and nearly 1,300 children in need of assistance for Christmas.

Distribution Day is scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 20.