GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA (September 30, 2025) The holiday season is almost here and so is more help for families struggling in Hall, Hamilton, Howard and Merrick Counites.
Registration for the Heartland United Way’s holiday assistance programs begins October 1 through November 17, at 5:00 p.m.
HUW boosts assistance to our communities in three ways this time of year: Heartland United Way Toy Collection & Toys for Tots Toy Distribution, Holiday Adopt a Family Program and Christmas Cheer Food Vouchers.
Heartland United Way Toy Collection & Toys for Tots Toy Distribution
Holiday Toy Drive and Distribution is hosted by the Heartland United Way with toys donated from community members, Local 4’s Present Patrol, Toys for Tots, and the United States Marine Corps. Reserve. It provides holiday assistance for children aged 12 and under in Hall, Hamilton, Howard and Merrick Counties whose parents are not financially able to provide gifts for them during the holidays. Locations to drop off toys will be announced on our website & social media starting November 7th. Toy distribution will be on December 11. In 2024, 2,479 children received gifts through this program.
Holiday Adopt-a-Family Program
Families accepted into this program through referrals are experiencing extraordinary needs due to job loss, health issues, a house fire or other major circumstances. Adopters donate wrapped gifts to an assigned family anonymously based on a description of the family’s biggest needs & wishes. In 2024, Heartland United Way connected 34 local families with adopters.
Christmas Cheer
Christmas Cheer provides a voucher to Hall County individuals and families in need for purchasing groceries for a holiday meal. In 2024, 1,081 families received a holiday meal through this program. Donations can be made at the Heartland United Way office at 1441 N. Webb Road in Grand Island and participating banks, which will be announced soon. Christmas Cheer donors can give in honor or in memory of someone.
Those in need can visit www.heartlandunitedway.org/holiday-help to learn more about the programs and sign up.
If you’d like to support these efforts, visit www.heartlandunitedway.org/helping-during-holidays to learn more about toy collection, donation and volunteer opportunities.
United is the way we connect with purpose to ensure the needs in our community are met.