La Crosse Jaycees’ Toys for Tots drive begins

12-hour toy drive to be held Nov. 21 outside the La Crosse Center

LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — The La Crosse Jaycees are looking for help putting presents under Christmas trees for kids in our community.

Bins were placed at a number of locations, including WKBT News 8 at 141 South 6th Street in La Crosse on Friday.

Last year the organization collected enough toys for 1,200 kids from newborns to age 12 in our area. Kelly Goyette with the La Crosse Jaycees said the number is steadily increasing each year.

This year they’re only accepting new toys, not gently used ones.

“A lot of those were your stuffed animals and stuff like that, so we really just to make sure that we could focus on what was important and that’s making sure these kids, each family will get the toys they’re registering for,” said Kelly Goyette of La Crosse Jaycees.

There will be bins to drop off new toys at various businesses in La Crosse, including Shopko, Menards and Festival Foods. The types of toys the Jaycees are looking for include girl hair accessories (barrettes, headbands, etc.), baby toys, books, action figures, board games for older kids (age 9-12), and Legos.

There will be a 12-hour toy drive outside of the La Crosse Center on Friday, November 21 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The collection ends at WKBT News 8 on Thursday, December 4.

Families who would like to register for the Toys for Tots program can do so at the Masonic Lodge, 118 8th Street in La Crosse (across from the public library) on the following dates:

Friday, November 7 from 9-1 p.m.
Saturday, November 8 from 10-2 p.m. Monday, November 10 from 10-2 p.m. Tuesday, November 11 from 2-6 p.m. Wednesday, November 12 from 2-4 p.m.