Brownwood News – Two local broadcasting companies continued their friendly competition to collect toys and monetary donations for the Brown County Toys for Kids program yesterday. For over a decade KOXE/KBWD and The Breeze 96.9 and News/Talk 102.3 KXYL have each tried to out-do each other on encouraging the community to donate toys and cash for children in need during the holiday season.
The Breeze 96.9 and News/Talk 102.3 KXYL held the Brian Wade Toys for Kids drive at the former Bank of America parking lot on Main Street in downtown Brownwood. KOXE/KBWD held their Two-Steppin’ for Toys drive in front of their studio on Carnegie.
This year, each company has managed bring it to the next level, topping last year’s record breaking totals.
“In a year that has been hard for many, the community has once again shown how much they care for the kids by coming through big time for the Brown County Toys for Kids drive,” said local radio host Carl Wayne. “Our KOXE Two-Steppin’ for Toys drive on Wednesday collected an amazing $9,520 and 1,514 toys and 63 bikes. Lots of kiddos will enjoy a bright Christmas.”
For Leland Acker with KXYL, it was a joy to watch the donations roll in and remember his friend Brian Wade who was a key part of toys drives past. Monetary donations collected yesterday at their toy drive totaled: $8,533.
“Nothing could have prepared me for the outpouring of love and support the people of Brown County showed toward the children enrolled in the Toys for Kids program,” Acker said. “We took in far more monetary donations from local residents this year than we have in recent years, and the business community stepped it up to the next level when it came to toy collections. I am so excited for the kids and the Toys for Kids program. It looks like it’s going to be a very merry Christmas.”
Over 1,500 Brownwood area children will have a very merry Christmas thanks to an outpouring of donations to the Brown County Toys for Kids program. For Wendlee Broadcasting, this year’s toy drive was again dedicated in honor of Brian Wade, a well-loved local radio talent who passed away unexpectedly in November 2016.
The Brown County Toys for Kids program started in 1997 through the efforts of Dennis Thacker, and his wife, Wanda. For over 20 years the program has helped financially-challenged parents give new toys to their children on Christmas. The program had only a few years without distribution as founder Dennis Thacker was battling cancer. During years in remission, he and his family would resume their work to bless families in the area for Christmas.
In 2006, after Thacker passed away, Brian Wade stepped forward and wanted to help the family continue their work. He came up with the idea to hold a “Two-Steppin’ for Toys” drive, a friendly competition between local radio stations in Brownwood. Each year KOXE/KBWD and Wendlee Broadcasting would hold an all-day toy drive, encouraging donations and attempting to outdo each other – all in good fun, and for the benefit of children.
With Wade’s sudden passing, his family called upon the community to make last year’s toy drive the best ever. The community responded with record donations. KOXE/KBWD reported close to $6,000 in cash donations, with Wendlee Broadcasting collecting over $8,000.
This year, the community outdid themselves breaking last year’s totals in the spirit of giving with a combined $18,053 raised.
More than 200 volunteers will mobilize on December 16th for the Brown County Toys for Kids distribution day at Grand Starz on Belle Plain in Brownwood. The day of toy selection, gift wrapping and Christmas cheer will mark the 20th anniversary of Wanda Martin’s involvement with the program.
