Santa owes you a thank-you note for helping make Christmas a little brighter for families in need in Kewaunee County.

Volunteers helped sort nearly six weeks of toy collections at more than a dozen sites across the county ahead of last Saturday’s distribution event at Holy Rosary School in Kewaunee. Thanks to that generosity, Kewaunee County Toys for Tots served 109 families with 225 children, distributing more than 2,000 toys, games, stuffed animals and books.

Families also received a food basket from the Kewaunee County Food Pantry and a coupon to use at the Kewaunee County Clothing Closet.

For decades, Kewaunee County Sheriff Matt Joski has helped organize the effort, doing everything from placing collection boxes at area businesses to guiding volunteers as they helped parents shop for their children inside the school’s gymnasium. Joski said he is grateful for the support the event receives each year, noting he had to empty several collection boxes ahead of the Dec. 19 pickup date.

He hopes everyone who supports Kewaunee County Toys for Tots — whether by donating toys or helping sort them — feels the Christmas spirit, especially the area youth who volunteer their time.

Joski said his work did not end with Saturday’s distribution event. Leftover toys will be stored until next year, and he anticipates visiting families in need who were unable to attend Saturday’s event. Joski said he will continue those efforts through Christmas Eve to help ensure every child in Kewaunee County has something to open under the tree.