For the seventh consecutive year, Evansville radio station WIKY 104.1 FM presents its “Ton of Toys” campaign to benefit families in need this Christmas. The toy collection drive begins Monday, November 25 and continues through Thursday, December 12. Donations of new, unwrapped toys will be collected by Evansville area St. Vincent de Paul members to give to those in need.
“We’re thrilled to be WIKY’s partner in this effort since the beginning. Ton of Toys offers our Vincentians another way to serve families in need,” said Joseph Cook, Executive Director of St. Vincent de Paul’s Evansville District. “While it is a lot of work for our volunteers, the joy it brings to our volunteers and our friends in need is worth it all.” The program began in 2017. The following year, St. Vincent de Paul began and has maintained a working relationship with Ireland Home Based Services on its Ton of Toys outreach. In 2022, St. Vincent de Paul joined efforts with Ascension St. Vincent Hospital to expand its Christmas outreach to families with children enrolled at St. Vincent Early Learning Center.
Families needing assistance with Christmas gifts this year can register for the program by visiting the St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry at 809 N. Lafayette Avenue, Monday through Friday, from 8:15 – 4:00 (closed at lunch) or by calling the office at (812) 425-3485 during the same hours. The last day to register for the program is Thursday, December 12. Families “shop” for their children on Tuesday and Wednesday, December 17 and 18. Times and location will be provided to the families upon registration. No walk-ins are accepted, and families cannot be registered with any other Christmas toy program.
New, unwrapped toys can be donated in designated collection boxes at either Evansville Lucas Oil Center (N. Green River Rd. or W. Lloyd Expressway), any of the eight Evansville and Newburgh-area Donut Bank locations, ACE Construction on W. Franklin, or the Center for Pediatric Therapy at 4900 Shamrock Drive. Toys can also be dropped off at the St. Vincent de Paul Thrift Store at 767 E. Walnut Street in Evansville. Online donations can be made through December 16 at https://www.svdpevansville.org/ton-of-toys/.
WIKY FM has been serving the Evansville area since 1948. The station was honored last year with the Marconi Award for Small Market Radio Station of the Year from the National Association of Broadcasters. Earlier this year the station was awarded the Indiana Broadcasters Association “Cardinal Service Award” for the Ton of Toys program. The Society of St. Vincent de Paul, an international network of charity founded in Paris, France in 1833, has been serving the poor in the Evansville area since 1882.
