By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
This year’s Wyoming Gives Back has been a success with more than 500 toys donated to the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree. Now the fun begins as WKTV hosts the live broadcast at 7 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 3.
During the broadcast, which can be seen on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99 along with WKTV’s Facebook page and at wktv.org, prizes will be raffled. Residents were able to get raffle tickets when they donated an unwrapped, new toy. This year, area residents donated more than 500 toys, which organizers said they were amazed at the amount considering the circumstances with so many facing hardships due to COVID.
“I am grateful to our Wyoming community for their generous toy donations this year,” said the City of Wyoming Administrative Assistant Jennifer Stowell, who helps organize the annual event. “These donations will help make many local children’s holiday season brighter.”
Along with the raffle drawings, the hour-long live broadcast will feature a musical performance by Wyoming’s San Juan Diego Academy, which has performed every year at the Wyoming Gives Back. Also there will be presentations by the Salvation Army and lots of holiday fun with hosts Mayor Jack Poll and WOOD TV8’s Michele DeSelms.
Santa and Mrs. Claus will be attending as well, taking phone calls from area children and Santa will be announcing the winners of this year’s coloring contest. City staff said there were a number of entries to the first-ever coloring contest, making the final selections a tough decision for Santa.
Before the Wyoming Gives Back event, WKTV will be live streaming the Kentwood Tree Lighting Ceremony at 6:30 p.m. This broadcast also can be seen at WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-verse Channel 99 along with WKTV’s Facebook page and wktv.org.
