Community Orgs Holidays

Festival of Toys Now Gathering Gifts for Families in Need

Mid-West Family radio stations collecting donations Dec. 3-6

V1 Staff |

Mid-West Family radio host John Murphy, right, and others collect toys during the 2023 Festival of Toys drive. (Submitted photo)
Mid-West Family radio host John Murphy, right, and others gather donations during the 2023 Festival of Toys. (Submitted photo)

For the 22nd consecutive year, the radio stations of Mid-West Family Eau Claire are collecting toys for children in need as part of the Festival of Toys.

The drive is being held at Festival Foods’ Chippewa Valley grocery store locations and is presented by Mid-West Family’s six local radio stations: Greatest Hits 98.1 Christmas, Today’s Variety I-94, SportsTalk 105.1, 95.9 THE FARM, 92.9 The X Real Rock, and WAXX 104.5.

The drive aims to collect new, unwrapped toys which will be distributed to families in need by Family Promise of the Chippewa Valley, which operates the Beacon House family shelter in Eau Claire. Over the past 21 Christmas seasons, the drive has collected more than $275,000 worth of toys and gifts for children between the ages of 3 months and 18 years.

Mid-West Family radio stations will be broadcasting from Festival Foods locations at the following dates and times:

  • Tuesday, Dec. 3, 7-11am, Festival Foods, Chippewa Falls
  • Wednesday, Dec. 4, 7-11am, Festival  Foods, Birch Street, Eau Claire
  • Thursday, Dec. 5, 7-11am, Festival  Foods, North Clairemont Avenue, Eau Claire
  • Friday, Dec. 6, 7am-1pm, Festival Foods, Mall Drive, Eau Claire

Donation boxes were placed at Festival Foods locations and other area donation sites the week of Nov. 25.