Christmas Neighbors Jefferson County

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Jefferson, WI
Christmas Neighbors Jefferson County

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We have two programs: Toy Giveaway (Distribution) and Adopt-a-Family. Pop made it his personal mission to change that for as many children as he possibly could!

The Toy Giveaway (also known as the toy and food distribution), takes place mid-December in the Activity Center at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds (in Jefferson) every year. In 1952, a gentleman by the name of Clarence "Pop" Wendt worked as a Probation Officer in Jefferson County, Wisconsin. Sadly, his job took him into a great deal of homes where far too many children would go without Christmas gifts and other necessities because of their families' hardships. He orchestrated his first toy drive by contacting the Jefferson County Social Service workers. They helped him collect and distribute toys for as many children as their funds would allow. Initially, this program was known as "The Pop Wendt Program". While the goal is the same, more than 60 years later, we carry on these efforts, and Pop Wendt's mission, as the Jefferson County Christmas Neighbors. Each holiday season, we serve hundreds of families and nearly 2,000 children throughout communities in our area!

10/31/2026

🎄 Bring a friend and come out to support Jefferson County Christmas Neighbors! We have three upcoming fundraisers, and we’d love to see you at one—or all three!

🏈 10-62 Saloon Basket Raffle
Sunday, November 8 • 4:00 p.m.
Cheer on the Packers and join in the basket raffle!

🍕 Pizza Ranch
Monday, November 16 • 4:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Take the night off from cooking and enjoy dinner for a good cause!

🎉 Bingo at Stable Rock : Riverfront Winery l Distillery l Kitchen
Wednesday, December 2 • 6:00 p.m.
Gather your bingo buddies and join us for a fun evening!

Your participation helps make the holidays brighter for Jefferson County families. Mark your calendars and help us spread the word!

10/30/2026

Jefferson County Christmas Neighbors is now accepting 𝗼𝗻𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 for the 𝗧𝗼𝘆 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 and will be accepting applications for both the 𝗔𝗱𝗼𝗽𝘁-𝗔-𝗙𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 and 𝗧𝗼𝘆 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗶𝗯𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺 starting 𝗡𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗺𝗯𝗲𝗿 𝟮 𝘃𝗶𝗮 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗵𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲𝘀! Please note you must be an active participant of a State-funded child welfare program, reside in Jefferson County, and be the legal guardian of at least one child (infant to 18 years of age) to be considered for acceptance into either program.

Eligible families can register online 𝗡𝗢𝗪 for the Toy Distribution Program or may apply for the Adopt-A-Family or Toy Distribution Program via our traditional phone lines (920-674-4499) which will be open Monday, November 2nd - Thursday, December 10th from 9:00 AM- 4:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

Register for Jefferson County Christmas Neighbors Toy Program: https://forms.gle/m7GfRQ1FgF4Q6ofT8

09/25/2026

More than 500 Jefferson County families received gifts through Christmas Neighbors last year. 🎁

Could you help make this Christmas brighter for a local family? Whether you give a toy, become a sponsor, or adopt a family, you’re part of a community that shows up for its neighbors.

Please share this with a friend, workplace, church, or community group that might want to make Christmas brighter for a local family. 💚

07/16/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1EgvUxZTaB/?mibextid=wwXIfr
It is never too early to start thinking about contributing to Christmas Neighbors! What a fun event to help our organization!!🎅🏻🎄🎅🏻🎄🎅🏻🎄🎅🏻🎄

02/03/2026

Jefferson County Christmas Neighbors celebrated its 73rd year of service by providing toys, food, gloves, hats, and blankets to 466 families and 1,329 children through our Toy Program Give-Away. In addition, 185 families and 501 children were “adopted” by generous local businesses and individuals.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to the families, businesses, clubs, churches, and organizations who adopted families, as well as to those who supported our mission through monetary donations. Your generosity makes a meaningful difference.

Each year, we are humbled by the kindness of the Jefferson County community. Because of you, the Christmas Neighbors program is not only surviving—it is thriving. We are deeply grateful to everyone who contributed in any way.

“May life bring you a reflection of the kindness you have shown others.”

— Jefferson County Christmas Neighbors Board

Send a message to learn more

12/18/2025

2025 Christmas Neighbors is a wrap! Serving 489 families of Jefferson County all in one day. Thank you to all that made this possible. From all that donated, to all the businesses who hosted toy drives, to rounding up from patrons, to all the volunteers, all the people who adopted families, with out you we couldn’t make this possible. If you are interested in volunteering for 2026, please message us. Planning takes all year and we would be thrilled to have you help out. Merry Christmas to all!!

12/16/2025

What goes into the set up for Christmas Neighbors?? Here’s a glimpse. It takes 14 board members, about 45 volunteers and about 125 high school volunteers who set up tables, label toys, set up hats n mittens, organize thousands of toys, set up wrapping paper, set up a mini food pantry and get ready to serve those in need of Jefferson County! Distribution day is tomorrow. Thank you to everyone who has donated, volunteered and contributed in anyway.

12/15/2025

Thank you to the Koshkonong Kruzers ATV/UTV Club for hosting a toy drive for Christmas Neighbors. Some of our board members met up with the group and collected all the toys.

12/12/2025

Thank you to the wonderful students and staff of the Johnson Creek School District for having a school wide penny war benefiting Christmas Neighbors. They were able to raise over $1813.00!!!!!! WOW! Outstanding! Thank you so much!!

12/09/2025

A huge thank you to Arby’s of Watertown for rounding up for the months of October and November. A check was presented to Christmas Neighbors in the amount of $1318.77!!!! Thank you to the wonderful staff of Arby’s and all of those who rounded up for the cause.

Address

Jefferson, WI
53549

Telephone

+19206744499

Website

http://www.christmasneighbors.org/

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