10/08/2026
This is one of those posts I really didn’t want to have to write and I have struggled with finding the words.
After a lot of thought, conversations, and honestly, a lot of emotion, we have made the difficult decision to pause the Wes’ Wish Toy Drive for 2026.
For the past 15 years, Wes’ Wish has been such a huge part of our lives. What began as one little boy’s wish to make Christmas brighter for other kids has grown into something that has touched hundreds of families and brought so much love, generosity, and hope into our community.
And that’s part of why this decision has been so hard.
The truth is, I am exhausted.
Life has been a lot lately. Between the demands of work, raising our family, keeping up with our other kids and their schedules, and some very difficult things happening within our family, we have found ourselves stretched much thinner than we ever expected.
We’ve also been struggling with our own mental health, and we’re at a point where we have to be honest about what we can realistically take on.
The Toy Drive isn’t just the few weeks of collecting and distributing gifts. There is a tremendous amount that happens behind the scenes throughout the year that demands so much of my attention, and right now, I simply don’t have the capacity to carry all of it.
For the first time in a very long time, I have had to admit:
I can’t do everything.
And that’s incredibly hard for me to say.
This decision does not reflect a lack of gratitude for the people who have shown up for Wes’ Wish over the years. To everyone who has donated a toy, delivered a box, volunteered for a day, helped distribute gifts, shared a post, or supported us in any way — thank you. You have made this possible.
This isn’t because we don’t care.
It isn’t because the families we serve don’t matter.
And it absolutely does not mean Wes’ Wish matters any less to us.
If anything, that’s what makes this decision hurt so much.
I have always believed in showing up for families during the hardest seasons of their lives. This year, I need to recognize that we are in a hard season of our own.
So, for 2026, we’re pressing pause.
We don’t know exactly what Wes’ Wish will look like in the future, but we aren’t ready to let go of the hope behind it.
Thank you for giving us grace, for understanding, and for helping us carry Wes’ wish forward for the past 15 years.
Wes taught us that even in the hardest circumstances, there is still room for hope, kindness, and love.
We’re just learning that sometimes, we have to save a little of that love for ourselves and our family, too.
Stronger Together. Always.
(I have still been collecting PJs and will be making a delivery soon.)
