Making spirits bright
Santa's Helpers. Right here in Winona.
Our goal is to help make the holidays easier on families through the gift of toys. No matter who you are or what you're facing, we're here for you. That's why we require no sort of financial verification for participants.
We believe every child deserves to experience the magic of the holiday season.
Save the Date: December 13th 2025!
Join us for the 2025 Toy Store
It's time to create holiday magic
4. December 13th is the only day available for individuals to shop. We cannot accommodate additional times due to event venue restrictions and volunteer availability.
Here's a breakdown of how our Toy Store event works:
1. Registration is required for attendance. Due to volume and the required preparation, we cannot accept walk-ins on the day of the Toy Store. Registration opens November 1st at 8:00 AM and closes November 30th at midnight.
2. You will receive a confirmation email after completing the registration form. If you do not receive an email or are unsure if your registration went through, please reach out to us on Facebook or shoot us an email at winonaareatoysforkids@gmail.com. We're happy to help!
3. The week of the Toy Store, all registrants will receive an email with their assigned time slot. Individuals have 15 minutes to pick out toys from the Toy Store. Please respect your time slot. If you are unable to attend during your scheduled time, please notify us as soon as possible.
Our 2025 Toy Store is Saturday, December 13th from 8:00 AM to noon at the Morrison Annex Event Center located at 363 E 2nd Street in Winona. Our entirely volunteer-run board has been working tirelessly to ensure Winona area families experience the joy of the holidays. Each year, parents and caregivers are invited to shop—free of charge—for new toys that will make their children’s season bright.
The story of Winona Area Toys for Kids
Winona Area Toys for Kids began as a community-led effort inspired by the long-running Toys for Tots campaign. For many years, the Hiawatha Valley Marines brought holiday joy to local families through their Toys for Tots program, serving hundreds of children across the Winona area.
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In 2014, recognizing a growing need for holiday assistance and the benefits of a more locally directed effort, community members established Winona Area Toys for Kids as an independent organization. This transition allowed for greater flexibility in fundraising and a stronger focus on the unique needs of Winona-area families.
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That December, the first annual Toy Store opened its doors—offering parents and caregivers the opportunity to choose new toys for their children free of charge. The tradition continues today, serving families across Winona and neighboring communities each holiday season.
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Today, Winona Area Toys for Kids operates under the umbrella of the Winona Community Foundation, strengthening its local roots and expanding its capacity to serve families through enhanced community partnerships and support.
Community-Driven
Sharing the magic of the season, together.
Winona Area Toys for Kids is entirely powered by the generosity of our community. Every toy, dollar, and hour of volunteer time comes from local individuals, businesses, and organizations who believe in spreading holiday joy to Winona area families. We do not receive government funding or outside grants—our work is made possible solely through donations and local support. From workplace toy drives to small business sponsorships, every contribution helps make the annual Toy Store a success.
How do you raise money for toys?
Our team of volunteers works year-round fundraising and collecting donations from local businesses, organizations, and community members. Before our annual Toy Store, we take a big shopping trip to pick out toys based on the ages and interests of our registrants.
Can I volunteer?
We truly value the help of volunteers, especially during the holiday season! Volunteer positions include toy sortation, set-up and tear-down of the Toy Store, and assistance day-of (December 13th). If you are interested in volunteering for WATFK, please reach out to our coordinator, Craig, at cputz@fccnetwork.org
Do you still collect toys around town?
In recent years, we've reduced the amount of toy donation barrels in our community so we can focus on purchasing new toys based on the ages and interests of our registrants. We will still distribute some donation barrels to local businesses and organizations. Please check our Facebook page for barrel locations!