Make Spirits Bright! Huge Christmas Wish Fundraiser Coming Saturday

Saturday is the big day for the annual Christmas Wish fundraiser at Applebee's in Owensboro, and excitement is in the air! The goal is simple: to ensure every child has the best Christmas ever. At the Christmas Wish Fundraiser Toy Drive families and friends come together to make the holiday season brighter for those in need. With many exciting activities planned, it promises to be a day filled with fun, generosity, and holiday spirit. Your participation will help ensure that every family experiences the magic of Christmas this year. It’s going to be a day to remember!

ANNUAL CHRISTMAS WISH FUNDRAISER

Gather your family and friends for a day of holiday fun at the 2024 Annual Christmas Wish Fundraiser! Join us for a festive celebration on Saturday, December 7th, 2024, at Applebee's in Owensboro from 11 AM to 4 PM. Enjoy live music, delicious food, exciting auction items, a bake sale, and fun activities. Santa & The Grinch will make a special appearance for photos and to chat with the little ones. We would love for you to be part of this heartwarming event! Best of all, 100% of the proceeds will go directly to families in need this holiday season, ensuring everyone has a magical Christmas.

11 am - 12:45 pm Santa Visit, Bring The Kids Young & Old To See & Take Pictures With The "Jolly Ole Elf" Himself

12:pm (noon) - 2:pm "The Grinch" Will Be In! Applebee's of Owensboro Will Be Like Whoville, Bring The Kids Young & Old To See & Take Pictures With The Grinch, LIVE!

AMAZING AUCTION ITEMS

If you're looking to get a head start on your Christmas shopping, you won’t want to miss the incredible silent auction items available! We’ve got a fantastic selection, including gift cards, gift baskets, stylish home decor, name-brand items, and so much more. With so many amazing items, it’s the perfect opportunity to snag a great gift while supporting a wonderful cause.

Main Draw:

American Patriot Getaway Vacations 3-day/2-night Smokey Mountain cabin!

$500 Walmart Gift Card

Auctions include:

Popular Bourbon Brands

Restaurant Gift Cards

Pandora Bangle Bracelets

Oral Hygiene Basket $300 Value

Harlem Globetrotter Tickets

Rascal Flats Tickets

Lots of Gift Cards

Many Loaded Gift Baskets & More!!

READ MORE: TAKE 10 MARKET HELPS CHRISTMAS WISH

2024 CHRISTMAS WISH FUNDRAISER SPONSORS

We couldn't do it without our amazing sponsors. We appreciate the support from our sponsors:

Clark Distributing Company

American Patriot Getaway Vacations

Moore & Moore Browns Valley Truck Equipment

OVG360 Owensboro Sports Center

Barrel House Liquors

Donatos Pizza
Tropical Smoothie
Shammy's Car Wash

Auto Zone west
Orielly Auto Parts west

Nick T Arnold Jewelers

Old Hickory BBQ

Applebee's

Bluegrass Biker News

Mosley Management

Pallet Surplus Liquidation (Newburgh) - Lisa Eikoff

And all the other generous volunteers and donors who stepped up to make this a successful fundraiser. Your support means the world and helps make the holidays brighter for those in need!

MOST POPULAR TOYS ON KIDS' WISH LISTS THIS SEASON

Here are the top toys and gifts kids hope to receive this holiday! As we move closer to Christmas, the list reflects the most requested items from children in our community. Some items are trending strongly, and we’ve identified the ones in HOT demand:

ARTS & CRAFTS (HOT)
AXE SETS/ADIDAS SETS FOR TEENS (HOT)
BIGGER BABY DOLLS/SETS (HOT)
BARBIES (HOT)
BASKETBALLS
BIKES (ANY SIZE) (HOT)
BLANKETS (HOT)
BLUEY (HOT)
BOARD GAMES
COCOMELON
DINOSAURS (HOT)
EARBUDS/HEADPHONES/SPEAKERS (HOT)
FISHING
FOOTBALLS
FORTNITE (HOT)
GAMING HEADPHONES
HOT WHEELS (HOT)
LEARNING TOYS/LEAP FROG, VTECH, FISHER PRICE (HOT)
LEGOS (HOT)
LOL SURPRISE
MICKEY
MINECRAFT
MINNIE
MY LIFE DOLLS
NERF GUNS (HOT)
PAW PATROL
PJ MASK
POKEMON
REMOTE CONTROL VEHICLES (HOT)
ROBLOX
SCOOTERS
SENSORY TOYS
SOCCER
SONIC THE HEDGEHOG
SPIDERMAN
SQUISHMELLOWS
SUPER MARIO
TEEN ROOM DÉCOR
UNICORNS
XBOX GAMES

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If you're shopping this season, be sure to keep an eye out for these HOT items that are in high demand! Whether it's one of these popular toys or other essential gifts, each donation makes a difference in spreading holiday cheer. Thank you for supporting the Christmas Wish mission!

CHRISTMAS WISH VOLUNTEERS

Christmas Wish relies on a dedicated core group of volunteers who have passionately supported the mission for 40+ years. US Bank has been a vital partner, allowing employees to volunteer their time during the holiday season. Over the years, many businesses have embraced “Giving Programs,” contributing to the success of our efforts. It’s important to note that without the commitment of volunteers, Christmas Wish wouldn’t be possible.

This season, we’ll need volunteers starting Wednesday, November 20th. If businesses are interested in helping out, please email barb@wbkr.com.

READ MORE: KROGER PLUS CARD EARNS MONEY FOR CHRISTMAS WISH

We’re excited to announce that we’ll once again be located at Towne Square North in Owensboro, specifically in the former Shoe Stop location by Big Lots. Mark your calendars for our Grand Opening Day on Monday, December 2nd, 2024!

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HOW TO DONATE TO CHRISTMAS WISH?

Your contributions to Christmas Wish are vital, as the program operates on an annual budget of just $500 to $800. Every individual involved volunteers their time, and we’re fortunate to have our space, signage, and other essentials generously donated. Local restaurants even provide meals for our volunteers throughout the season!

When you donate, you’re directly helping children in need, ensuring they receive the joy and warmth of the holiday spirit. Your support makes a meaningful impact in our community, bringing smiles to those who need it most. Together, we can create a brighter Christmas for all!

CHRISTMAS WISH MISSION

Since 1976 Christmas Wish has been “MAKING SURE EVERY CHILD IN THE TRI-STATE GETS A VISIT FROM SANTA”. You can make a profound difference in the lives of others and embrace the true spirit of Christmas by giving back to those in need. Your generosity not only spreads joy but also reinforces the values of compassion and community. Let’s create a brighter, more hopeful holiday for everyone!

Thanks to the incredible efforts and generosity of fundraisers like this, last year we were able to provide Christmas for 2,038 families in need. Over 8,000 children woke up to presents under the tree, and we handed out more than 50,000 gifts during the holiday season. If you or someone you know is in need this year, letter submissions will open on Friday, November 1st, 2024. It’s been an amazing journey, and we couldn’t have achieved this without your support! Let’s continue to spread joy and make a difference together.

As we prepare to celebrate our 48th Anniversary Season of Christmas Wish, let’s take a moment to reflect on the record-breaking success of the 2023 season. Together, we achieved incredible milestones and brought joy to countless families in our community. Thank you for being a part of this journey, and here’s to making this year even more memorable!