Christmas Wish is launching its 49th season with a new, much larger home, and organizers are already accepting letters, gathering donations, and signing up volunteers to help make sure thousands of local children wake up to Christmas morning with gifts, clothes, and essentials they need.
The long-running WBKR program moved a few doors down from its former 10,000-square-foot Shoe Stop location into a significantly bigger donated space inside the old Big Lots in Towne Square North. Director Barb Birgy said the expansion comes at a crucial time.
“We were busting at the seams helping 8,000 kids and providing 50,000 gifts,” Birgy said. “This is going to be remarkable.”
Christmas Wish has already begun taking letters and will continue through the end of November. As of last week, the program had received about 500 letters, though Birgy said numbers typically surge as the month goes on.
Letters, wishes, and what’s most needed
Christmas Wish supports children through age 18, allowing the program to help large families that might otherwise be left out. Many agencies stop at age 12, Birgy said, which means teenagers — who are often the hardest to shop for — rely heavily on Christmas Wish each season.
Letters outline each child’s needs and wishes, and volunteers “shop” the store-style setup inside the warehouse. All items are new. Children typically receive a large, medium, and small gift, along with stocking stuffers. Families who request basics such as bedding, socks, or underwear are also provided those items when available.
Birgy shops all year for discounted items, using post-Christmas clearance sales and deals throughout the year to stretch the program’s limited budget.
This year’s most-requested items will be released soon, but Birgy said one surprise always rises to the top of the list.
“Arts and crafts … The kids want to be crafty, and they want to use their brain and their hands and not be on electronics,” she said.
Gifts, clothing, bedding, and monetary support are all accepted.
How the process works
Volunteers read each family’s letter and select gifts from the shelves that match the child’s needs or wishes. Once gifts are selected, they are placed in large black bags so families can safely pick them up without curious children spotting items. Nearly 2,000 families came through the pickup line last year, Birgy said.
For families who request items the warehouse cannot meet — such as specific sizes for clothing — a team of dedicated outside shoppers will go find exactly what’s needed. The program also strives to provide toddler beds, bedding, coats, and other essentials when possible.
Families can fill out a Wish List on the WBKR site here.
The volunteers who make it work
The move to the larger space also means more room for volunteers, who Birgy said often become lifelong friends.
“Most of the volunteers have been with me the whole way,” she said. “We’re like a family. We don’t see each other through the year at all, but boy, when it comes November 1, we’re all together and ready to go.”
Businesses frequently bring large groups for volunteer days, and local restaurants feed crews throughout the season. Coca-Cola and Pepsi provide drinks, and dozens of partners donate supplies or services. Birgy noted that several organizations helped out on Friday during “move-in day.” Puzzle Pieces, Friends of Sinners, Boulware Mission, Lighthouse, and Father’s House helped unload items, while Pizza Hut on Frederica Street provided lunch.
“All I have to do is ask, and people come through,” Birgy said. “Where else besides Daviess County are you going to find that? Honestly.”
Volunteer help is being accepted now. Those interested can email Birgy at [email protected] for more information.
Looking toward a milestone year
Birgy is in her 10th year as director, guiding the program through rising needs and shifting economic challenges. She said what continues to stand out is not just the charity itself but the people who sustain it.
“Helping people is wonderful,” she said. “But the other part — the relationships, the support, the community that comes together — it’s pretty special. You can step back and look at this county and say, ‘Wow.’”
More information on letters, volunteering, needed items, and pickup procedures is available through WBKR’s Christmas Wish site.
