Boys & Girls Club Blog

November 7, 2024

The Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh is thrilled to once again bring joy and relief to local families in need this holiday season. With the help of our compassionate community and generous donors, we aim to ease the holiday burden for families, many of whom face financial challenges that make it difficult to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas in a traditional way.

Through initiatives like our Winter Clothing & Hygiene Drive, Adopt-a-Family Program, Thanksgiving Meals, and the Festival Foods Turkey Trot, we’re committed to making the holidays brighter for countless Club families and their children.

Winter Clothing & Hygiene Baskets

One impactful way to help is by contributing a hygiene or household basket. These essential kits contain items such as toilet paper, laundry detergent, dryer sheets, hand soap, body wash, and toothbrushes—basic supplies that make a big difference for families. We also welcome donations of new winter clothing, including waterproof gloves of all sizes, warm hats, snow pants, and winter coats suitable for middle schoolers and teens (sizes adult S, M, and L). These items can be dropped off at our Club at 501 E. Parkway Ave. on or before Monday, December 9.

Adopt a Family

For those interested in adopting a family this holiday season, we’re grateful to report that, thanks to the incredible generosity of our community, our current list of families has already been adopted! However, we’ve opened a waitlist for 2024 and are now accepting early contacts for Adopt-a-Family 2025. You can learn more or add your name at bgcosh.org/adopt-a-family.

Thanksgiving Meals

This Thanksgiving, you can help make a difference by contributing to our Thanksgiving Meals program. Many of our Club families are unable to enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving meal due to financial limitations. With the support of donors, we’ll provide prepared meals for families to enjoy at home. Contributions are welcome through November 26 at bgcosh.org/thanksgiving-meals, and we’ll handle purchasing and delivering the meals to our families.

Festival Foods Turkey Trot

Mark your calendar for the 17th Annual Festival Foods Turkey Trot! This Thanksgiving morning tradition, held at the Oshkosh Senior Center (North Building at 234 N. Campbell Road), will support both the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh and the Oshkosh YMCA. Join the fun and bring your family—including pets!—for a morning of fitness and community spirit. Participants receive a long-sleeved T-shirt and a 6” Upper Crust pumpkin pie from Festival Foods.

We’re also seeking a few more volunteers to help make this event a success! Volunteers receive a Turkey Trot T-shirt, with opportunities to win Green Bay Packers tickets and a handmade quilt. Registration and volunteering details are available at festivalfoodsturkeytrot.com/oshkosh-wi.

Wishlist and Monetary Donations

In addition to our Winter Clothing & Hygiene Drive, Adopt-a-Family Program, Thanksgiving Meals, and the Festival Foods Turkey Trot, there are many ways you can support Boys & Girls Club children and families. By contributing to our wishlist or making a donation to our Building Project or general fund, you help create a positive, nurturing space for the incredible kids we serve every day. We’re always refreshing supplies to keep our programs vibrant for every age group, and every contribution—big or small—makes a lasting impact. View our wishlist at https://bgcosh.org/support/wishlist/ or make a donation at https://bgcosh.org/donate.

This season, your support makes it possible for the Boys & Girls Club of Oshkosh to provide a memorable and meaningful holiday experience for local families. Thank you for your generosity!

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