The holiday season is just around the corner, and Shawano County Toys for Tots is preparing to make Christmas brighter for children and families throughout the community.
With the 2026 campaign underway, organizers are inviting families to apply for assistance and encouraging community members, businesses and organizations to help spread holiday joy.
Families living in central and eastern Shawano County who need assistance providing Christmas gifts for their children are encouraged to apply. The program serves children from newborn through age 18.
Online registration is open through Dec. 8 at shawano-wi.toysfortots.org.
Volunteers are the heart of Toys for Tots, so individuals, families, students and community groups are encouraged to lend a hand with collecting, sorting and preparing gifts for distribution. Volunteering is also a great opportunity for students to earn community service hours while making a difference close to home.
Donations of new, unwrapped toys and books are accepted, with a special reminder to remember teenagers ages 13-18, who are sometimes overlooked during holiday toy drives.
Donation drop-off locations throughout Shawano County are accepting gifts now. Monetary donations are also welcome online or in person.
Drop-off locations in Shawano include AbbyBank, All Aboard Nutrition, Associated Bank, Bank First, Bay Title and Abstract, Inc., Belmark Inc., Berkshire Hathaway, HomeServices Bay Area Realty, BMO Bank, Bolin’s Speedy T’s, Bullfrogs and Butterflies Childcare Center, Capital Credit Union, Channel Letter Factory, Charter Arrowcast, Coldwell Banker Real Estate, CoVantage Credit Union, Culver’s, Dearco, Dreier Pharmacy and Gift Shop, Edward Jones — Jon Aumann, Edward Jones — John Stang, El Jefe Mexican Bar and Grill, Exit Elite Realty, Family Dollar, Farm Inn on Main, Four Seasons Hotel, Fusion Salon and Total Fitness, Genex, Glas Coffee House, Heins Appliance and Refrigeration, Hillcrest Primary School, Idell Johnston State Farm, IHOP, Island Tropics Hair Design Spa, Shawano County Job Center, KerberRose, Little Blessings Childcare Center, Little Rapids Paper Mill, Longhorn Saloon, Northwestern Mutual, Northeast Wisconsin Technical College, Old Glory Candy, Olga Brener Intermediate School, Premier Community Bank, Prey and Asenbrenner Insurance, Pure Essence Salon and Spa, Qualheim’s True Value, Performance Foodservice, RL Hall Land and Title Company, Sacred Heart Catholic School, Sacred Heart Catholic Parish, Shawano Café, Shawano Country Chamber of Commerce, Shawano County Human Services, Shawano County Courthouse, Shawano County Library, Shawano Community High School, Shawano Community Middle School, Shawano County Sheriff’s Department, Shoe Sensation, Shuffles Studio of Dance, St. James Daycare, St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Leopolis, Strive Behavioral Solutions, Stubborn Brothers Brewery, The Avenue, ThedaCare Medical Center, Thrivent, TimberPro, Tractor Supply, TrueNorth, Twig’s Beverage, Verkuilen Chiropractic, Walgreens and Wolf River Lutheran High School.
Toys can also be dropped off in Bonduel at Bear Cubs Childcare and Learning Center, Doc’s Harley-Davidson, Griesbach Chiropractic, Bonduel High School, Hungry Bear Café, KI, Bonduel State Bank, The Mill, The Rustic Shed and World Wide Sign Systems, as well as in Gresham at Gresham Village Hall, Gresham Town Mart, AbbyBank, Dollar General and Gresham Hardware and Auto.
To apply, volunteer or donate, visit shawano-wi.toysfortots.org or contact Michael Johnston, local coordinator, at 715-280- 0991.
