The Holiday Help of East Troy program will continue this year featuring a collaborative approach to assisting local families in need. 

    Local charities are getting a kick start on holiday donations, to make sure they have enough resources to help this holiday season.

    “It is through the generous support of local businesses, churches, organizations and community members that this program is able to continue," said East Troy Family and Community Resource Center coordinator Marolyn Komperud, who leads the nine-year-old initiative.        Komperud said the community partnership program model makes it easier than ever to provide families in need with gifts, winter clothing and a holiday meal during the holiday season.

    In 2021, Holiday Help of East Troy served 78 families with a combined 184 children from the East Troy Community School District boundaries.

    Here are ways to give this year. (All drives run Nov. 21-Dec. 9 unless otherwise noted.)

1. Monetary donations

    Monetary donations for the Holiday Help Program can be sent to the East Troy Family Community Resource Center, PO Box 962, East Troy, WI 53120.

2. Toy drive

    The East Troy Lions Club is collecting gifts for children birth to 16 years of age for its new toy drive.

    Donations can be dropped off at toy collection barrels at the following locations: Citizens Bank- East Brook, 2541 Main St. Unit A; Dollar General, 2579 Church St.; First Citizens State Bank, 2546 E. Main St. and Frank’s Piggly Wiggly East Troy, 3238 Main St. through Dec. 10.

    Koskinen Eye Clinic, 3278 Main St., will be collecting toys for children birth to 16 years of age.

3. Gift giving trees

    Giving trees to purchase gifts for local children will be located at Realty Executives Integrity, 2887 Main St.; St. James United Methodist Church, 2945 Main St.; and St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 1981 Beulah Ave., beginning Nov. 20. Wrapped donations are due no later than Dec. 9.

4. Secret Santa for the Manor

    State Farm Insurance -Tim Werwie, 2106 Church St. on the square, is seeking East Troy community members/groups to serve as secret Santas by purchasing gifts for residents of East Troy Manor. Tags will be available Nov. 21. Wrapped donations are due no later than Dec. 16.

5. Pajama Drives

    Citizens Bank Piggly Wiggly, 3238 Main St., and East Brook Branch, 2541 E. Main St., Unit A, will be collecting donations of new children through young adult socks, underwear, pajamas and gift cards as well as monetary donations for teens.

    The Hive Taproom, W2463 County Rd ES, will be collecting infant through adult/teen pajamas.

6. Covering the necessities

    East Troy Brewery, 2905 Main St., will be collecting socks and underwear toddler through adult and all sizes of  infant toddler diapers and wipes and essentials.

    Martins Hardware- Rental & Pet, 3288 Main St., will be collecting four packs of toilet paper, single or double rolls of paper towel, cleaning supplies, laundry soap and dish soap.

    First Citizens State Bank-East Troy Office, 2546 Main St., and Honey Creek Collective businesses, N8030 Townline Road, will be collecting hygiene items (deodorant, shaving cream, feminine hygiene products, soaps, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, toilet paper, Kleenex, diapers and wipes).

    Wanezek Family Dentistry, 2564 Main St, East Troy, will collect any of the items listed above on behalf of the Holiday Help program.