By Joanne Bailey-Boorsma
joanne@wktv.org
With restrictions on gatherings still in place due to COVID-19, many annual holiday events have had to be reimagined. This holds true for the popular Wyoming Gives Back.
The charitable event in which the City of Wyoming partners with local business and the community to celebrate the holiday season and collects toys for the Salvation Army Angel Tree has traditionally taken place at Rogers Plaza Mall. This year, the event will be a LIVE broadcast on WKTV Comcast Channel 25 and AT&T U-Verse Channel 99 at 7 p.m. Dec. 3. Mayor Jack Poll and Michele DeSelms from WOOD TV8 will emcee the program. The WKTV’s Facebook page and wktv.org will be live streaming the event as well.
“Although we won’t be able to gather in the way we typically do, Wyoming Gives Back is more important than ever,” said City of Wyoming Mayor Jack Poll. “With such a difficult year, our community’s children need a bit of holiday cheer and that’s what this event is all about. We support this toy drive for the Salvation Army Angel Tree to spread joy to children in need.”
WKTV General Manager Tom Norton said the station is excited to be able to bring this time honored Wyoming tradition to the community with the station arranging to have Santa and Mrs. Claus visiting with area children through a live call-in. To have your child participate in the call-in, email santa@wktv.org.
Residents will have the month of November to visit one of several local businesses to drop off unwrapped toys and receive their raffle tickets. Businesses will be handing out raffle tickets one per new toy just like at past events. On Dec. 3, the raffle drawing will take place with winning raffle numbers being announced. Winners will pick up their items from Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW.
“We’re thankful for our community members who donate toys and for our local businesses that have stepped up to host toy donation sites and donate prizes,” Poll said. “We have some great prizes this year so make sure to tune-in for the live holiday celebration!”
Wyoming Gives Back drop-off locations are:
Wyoming City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW, Monday – Thursdays, 7 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Marge’s Donut Den, 1751 28th St. SW, Monday – Saturday, 4 a.m. – 4 p.m., Sunday, 6 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Pizza Hut, 132 28th St. SW., Monday – Sunday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Godwin Plumbing & Hardware, 3703 S. Division Ave., Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. – 6 p.m., Saturday, 7:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Russo’s Pizza, 1760 44th St. SW, Monday – Saturday, 11 a.m. – 11 p.m., Sunday 3 – 10 p.m.
Last year, more than 800 toys were collected for donation, and with the support of the participating businesses, the City raffled nearly $4,000 in prizes.
Also as part of the activities, Wyoming Gives Back has added a Santa’s Kids Coloring Contest. Area students will be able to submit coloring pages or drawings for a chance to win a prize. Templates can be picked up at City Hall, 1155 28th St. SW; the KDL Wyoming Branch, 3350 Michael Ave. SW; or downloaded from the event webpage. Santa will announce the winners during the Wyoming Gives Back live broadcast.
