43rd Annual WBKR Christmas Wish Recap, Memories and Photos
As you celebrate Christmas just know that many precious girls and boys in the tri-state woke up with presents under the tree because of YOUR generosity! Let's take a look back at this record breaking Christmas Wish season.
The 43rd Annual WBKR Christmas Wish program helped 6,809 children and 1,558 needy families this year because of YOU and your donations. This equates to more than 20,000 gifts under the tree. The stories of those in need were sad in many cases, and some letters were very uplifting, but all just wanted a bit of help this year for Christmas. There were tears, a lot of gratitude and many life lessons at the Christmas Wish office this year. We had close to 1000 food baskets and EVERY meal had a ham or turkey because so many of you gave. It was a beautiful thing. Close to 250 families were adopted this year which was such a blessing.
Christmas Wish wouldn't be possible without fundraisers. Many of you stopped by the annual "Christmas Wish Open House" at the Whitesville Mercantile and gave. Thank you to the Morris family and the Angels for Ashley Cooking Team.
WHITESVILLE FUNDRAISER
Ollie's Bargain Outlet hosted the first ever "Owensboro RV Christmas Wish Toy Hauler Drive". Hundreds of toys were donated to kick off the 2019 season.
OLLIE'S FUNDRAISER
At TGI Friday's it was a day of giving with the annual "Toy Cruise-in for Christmas Wish". Live music, Santa, auctions and lots of toys! What a beautiful day it was. Thank you to all that helped with the auction, the Kentucky HAWG Mafia, Bluegrass Biker News, the Kentucky C/10 Club and all who stopped by and gave.
FRIDAY'S FUNDRAISER
We'd like to thank all of the individuals, groups, businesses and organizations that stopped by and gave so much. Whether it was turkeys or hams, toys, bikes or monetary donations, all were needed for this record breaking year. There were so many familiar faces and many new ones, giving to Christmas Wish for the first time.
CHRISTMAS WISH WEEK ONE
CHRISTMAS WISH WEEK TWO
CHRISTMAS WISH WEEK THREE
CHRISTMAS WISH WEEK 4
Our volunteers....... What can I say about these hardworking, wonderful humans. U.S. Bank, through their Charitable Giving program, gives their employees a chance to work in the community throughout the year. Many of them choose Christmas Wish. I see many familiar faces every year, and news ones too. We appreciate that they choose our program for those days, because we couldn't do what we do, without them. They understand the mission, support it and truly fight for any open slot on the schedule to help. That says everything, and we appreciate them more than they could ever know!
CHRISTMAS WISH VOLUNTEERS
I would like to thank our full-time volunteers, who start working on Christmas Wish weeks before the office even opens. Some come in before or after their full time jobs. Some stay after closing, because there's still much to be done. Many sacrifice so much, because they believe in what Christmas Wish stands for. We lean on each other, cry with each other, complain to each other, make fun of each other, care for one another and give. For them, I will FOREVER be grateful. They know who they are.
Christmas Wish really came to life this year, in part, because of the Towne Square Mall. They generously gave us a big and wonderful space to operate out of. 100% of donations go directly to those in need, because of many local businesses that help every single year.
CHRISTMAS WISH SPACE
These local businesses are also part of the reason that 100% of what is donated, goes directly to those who need it most. If you see any owners or employees of these businesses please say thank you on behalf of the community!
Greenwell Chisholm Printing Company, Bako’s Party Rentals, Halloween Havoc, Lang Office Equipment, Green River Appliance & Furniture, Home City Ice, Lonnie Nave's Service Co, Inc, Diamond Lake Campground & Resort and Office Equipment Company.
Swedish Match Co., Kimberly-Clark Paper Co., Prairie Farms Dairy, Daviess County Pork Producers, Perdue Farms and Century Aluminum Hawesville – Donations for Food Baskets
Our volunteers work so many tireless hours and it's amazing that these fine folks feed them through the season. Please thank them for supporting the Christmas Wish volunteers and the mission. Chick-fil-A Owensboro, Donatos Pizza, Salsarita's Fresh Mexican Grill, Firehouse Subs, Raising Cane's, Azzip Pizza and CocaCola Bottling Company in Owensboro.
Thank you Ollie's Bargain Outlet, Bargain Hunt, Sam's Club, Walmart, Kroger and Toys for Tots for your special help this year. You make shopping for all of these families so much easier and we look forward to working with you again next year!
Thank you once again to Henderson Chevrolet Buick GMC for sponsoring the Christmas Wish office.
To those who needed a little hand up this season. It was a blessing to hear your stories, cry with you and feel inspired by you. YOU make me a better person and may you heal in the coming days, months and years. We'll be here next year to help again if you need it. May 2020 be your best year yet!
We'll see you next year for the 43rd Annual Christmas Wish. Merry Christmas and we appreciate all of you and your commitment to the cause!