For the past 10 years, Katie Wagener of Lake Shore has spearheaded the program that brightens Christmas for area families in need.

Last year, the program helped 86 familes and approximately 286 children in Lake Shore, Nisswa, Merrifield, Pequot Lakes, Breezy Point, Ideal Corners, Jenkins and parts of Crosslake and Pine River.

"We're out to help as many people as we can, and we usually have a lot of stuff," Wagener said.

Families can fill out a wish list for Christmas for Kids at the Nisswa and Pequot Lakes chamber of commerce buildings, and Schaefer's Foods in Nisswa.

People interested in helping can drop off new, unwrapped gifts at those locations, as well as at Motor City, Edward Jones and Lakewood Bank, all in Nisswa.

In addition to gifts, families also receive a holiday meal with help from Schaefer's Foods.

The program's headquarters has included a resort Wagener owned, another resort where she worked, and her own home.

This year, Motor City owner Roger Dondelinger donated use of a home just south of Motor City.

Wagener has three people on her committee to rely on for help each year - Joni Ebert, Becky Wheeler and Wagener's mother, Lynn Biwer.

Like last year, the Pequot Lakes Student Council will buy and wrap gifts for 20 children, thanks to donations from anonymous businesses and Pequot Lakes community policing funds.

Wagener said they shop for each child individually. Each gets warm clothes, including pajamas and an outfit, and three to four items on their wish list.

At 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 19, adult volunteers will gather at the Nisswa Community Center to wrap all the gifts. Any adult volunteer is welcome.

Local pizza places supply pizza, and Holiday supplies pop for the wrapping event.

Lake Shore Police Chief Steve Sundstrom gathers area law enforcement, fire department and DNR officials to be Santas and elves who deliver all the gifts on Christmas Eve.

Area police started the Christmas for Kids program 20-25 years ago.

"They would deliver a toy to needy kids, and it just kind of escalated from there," Wagener said.

Donate to program at Taste of the Holidays
Area residents can help raise $1,000 for Christmas for Kids on Dec. 6 at Schaefer's Foods in Nisswa.
At the store's annual Taste of the Holidays event from 4 to 7 p.m. that day, donate money to the program and Schaefer's will match donations up to $500.

At Taste of the Holidays, each department at the store offers holiday items to sample and to give people ideas for holiday meals.