Saturday is the big day for the annual Christmas Wish fundraiser, presented by our friends at AMVETS Post 75, at Applebee’s in Owensboro, and you can already feel the buzz building. We’re pulling out all the stops again this year! Live music, a huge auction, photos with Santa and the Grinch, delicious food, and a bake sale that’s always a crowd favorite. The mission is to help make Christmas unforgettable for every child in our community. Families, friends, and neighbors come together for the Christmas Wish Toy Drive. With so much happening under one roof, it’s shaping up to be a day packed with fun, generosity, and Christmas magic.

2025 Christmas Wish Fundraiser Details

Round up some toys and your crew and spend part of your Saturday soaking up some holiday fun at the 2025 Annual Christmas Wish Fundraiser! We’ll be celebrating December 6th at the Owensboro Applebee’s from 11 AM to 5 PM, and there’s plenty planned to ring in the holiday season. You can grab great food, tap your toes to live music, check out the auction tables, and wander over to the bake sale for something sweet. Santa and the Grinch will be dropping by for photos and a few laughs with the kids, too. It’s a fun, feel-good outing, and every dollar raised goes straight to local families who could use a little extra help this Christmas.

A Look at Saturday’s Schedule

Santa will be kicking things off with photos from 11 AM to noon, so bring the kiddos early to snag that perfect Christmas picture. Then the Grinch takes over from 1 PM to 2:30 PM, ready for mischief, smiles, and plenty of goofy poses. From 2 PM to 4 PM, Joshua Orion will fill the restaurant with acoustic music. If you’re into classic rock, or honestly anything you can sing along to, Josh will have you belting out the lyrics and probably dancing your way down the aisles.

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WBKR will also be broadcasting live from 12–2, thanks to the wonderful crew at Blazen Spirit Apparel in Huntingburg, Indiana, who generously made the live remote possible.

And, thanks to TTMA TOYOTETSU MID-AMERICA LLC. They are our Socail Media Sponsor!

READ MORE: Peek Inside Santa’s New Workshop: Christmas Wish Now Open

Silent Auction Highlights

If you’re hoping to jumpstart your Christmas shopping, the silent auction is absolutely worth a stop. This year’s lineup is loaded with great finds, everything from gift cards and jewelry to themed baskets, home décor, and plenty of name-brand goodies. Even better, you don’t have to be present to win for most of the items! There’s something for everyone, making it easy to pick up a special gift (or treat yourself!) while helping support a cause.

READ MORE: What Christmas Wish Kids Want Most for Christmas 2025

Spotlight Sponsors for Our Auction

Bluegrass Biker News
Applebee's in Owensboro
Eyemart Express
Barrel Heads
Patriot Getaways
Clark Distributing
Lance Jewelry
Firehouse Subs
Nick T Arnold Jewelers
Magnolia Soap
Johnson Family of Owensboro
Owensboro Family Eye Care
Nathan's Franchise - Food Truck in Madisonville
Starbucks in Owensboro
Owensboro Convention Center
Monica at Swank Salon
Snap on Tools by Johnny Frank
Custom Creations by M.E.

A huge thank-you goes out to all the volunteers and donors who stepped up to help make this fundraiser a success. Your support makes a difference and helps bring a little extra sparkle to the holidays for families who need it most!

LOOK: The top holiday toys from the year you were born

Looking back on trends from 1924 through 2023, Stacker gathered a list of toys that came out each holiday season that captivated the public zeitgeist.

Gallery Credit: Stacker

LOOK: These Nostalgic Decorations Will Bring Back the Magic of Christmas Past

From snow-in-a-can to disco ball ornaments, childhood Christmases were pure magic—and filled with buckets of glitter. Did your favorite holiday decorations make the list?

Gallery Credit: Stephen Lenz

Christmas Wish Fundraiser Owensboro

Owensboro holiday charity event

Christmas toy drive 2025

Santa and the Grinch photo op

Silent auction for charity Owensboro

Enjoy live music 🎶, photos with Santa & the Grinch 📸, a bake sale 🍪, a silent auction 🎁, and plenty of holiday cheer. Best part? Every dollar helps local families have a magical Christmas! ❤️