Empty Stocking Fund Talent Program Secures Over $22,000 for Wadena Families in Need

Breaking: 99th Empty stocking Fund Talent Program Raises $22,354 For Local Holiday Aid

Wadena, Minn. – On Wednesday, Dec. 3, the Empty Stocking Fund Talent Program Returned live, Raising Community Support And $22,354 Total.

On Wednesday Night,The 99th Annual Empty Stocking Fund Talent Program Was Broadcast Live From Wadena-Deer Creek Middle/High School On KWAD Radio.

On-Air Hosts Kyle Gylsen, Corey Tackmann And CJ Baumgartner Encouraged Donations During the Three-Hour Broadcast From 7 P.M. To 10 P.M.And Reported Nearly $3,000 In Pledges Within The First Half Hour.

On The Evening, Twenty-Eight Local acts Appeared, And The Talent Show Portion Alone Netted More than $16,000 Toward The Fund.

Key Facts At A Glance

Item	Detail
Date	Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025
Event	99th Annual empty Stocking Fund Talent Program
Location	Wadena-Deer Creek Middle/High School; Broadcast On KWAD Radio
Performers	28 Local Acts Including Kyle And Leah Davis, Eric Roggenkamp, Jack Drange
total Raised	$22,354
Talent Program donations	More Than $16,000
Organizing Coordinator	Diane Peters (Talent Show Coordinator As 1979)
Committee And Volunteers	Britanie rentz, Eva Geiser, Vicki Jahnke, Kelly wong, Nicole White, Missy Seelhammer, Ryan Damlo, Cindy Hockert, April Damlo

Who Performed And Who Helped

kyle And Leah Davis Opened The Program With “Morning Light,” With Kyle On Piano and Leah On Guitar and Vocals.

Other Acts Included Accordionist Eric Roggenkamp, 10-Year-Old Pianist Jack Drange, The Verndale Family Life Church Choir, The Wadena Area Community Band, Brothers In Harmony, Phoenix Gray, And The Staples area Men’s Chorus.

Diane Peters Served As Talent Show Coordinator And Noted The Vital Role Of Volunteers And Committee Members In Making The fundraiser Work.

How The Drive Worked On-Air

The Program Was Broadcast Live On KWAD Radio From 7 P.M. To 10 P.M.,With Hosts Updating Listeners On Donations From Individuals,Businesses And Service Clubs.

Volunteers cindy Hockert And April Damlo Staffed The Phones, And WDC Music Teacher Mike Ortmann Provided Local School-Band Support During Several Numbers.

Did You Know?

Radio Fundraisers Remain A Powerful Local Tool For Small Communities Becuase They Combine Live Entertainment With Immediate Call-To-Action Giving.

Evergreen Insights: Turning Local Talent Into Lasting Support

Community Events That Pair Live Performance With A Clear Purpose Tend To Sustain Donor Engagement Year After Year.

Organizers Should Prioritize Clear On-Air Asks, Visible Volunteer Roles, And Post-Event Openness About How Funds Are Used.

Pro Tip

Schedule Social Proof Updates During The Broadcast, Such As Announcing Major Donor Names Or Business Matches, to Create Momentum And Encourage Immediate Giving.

For Best Practices On Nonprofit Fundraising And Donor Stewardship, Refer To Resources From High-Authority Sources Such As Charity Navigator And The National Council Of Nonprofits.

External Guidance Is Available At Charity Navigator (https://www.charitynavigator.org) And The National Council Of Nonprofits (https://www.councilofnonprofits.org).

Volunteer Management And Safety

Experienced Committees Divide Responsibilities Between On-Air Support, Phone Teams, And Post-Event Logistics To Ensure Smooth Runs.

Organizers Should Also Provide Brief Training For Phone Volunteers And Clear Scripts For handling Donations.

Two Questions for Readers

Would You Like To See Similar Community Talent Fundraisers In Your Area?

Have You Ever Volunteered For A Local On-Air Fund Drive, And What Motivated You To Take Part?

Voices From The Night

Diane peters Saeid The Sharing Of Local Talent “Embodies The True Spirit Of Christmas” By Helping Children And Families Enjoy A Better holiday.

Committee Members Kelly Wong And Nicole White Shared Stories On-Air About Families Helped In Past Years, Reinforcing The Connection Between Donations And real-World Impact.

Why It Matters

The Empty Stocking Fund Serves As One Of the area’s largest Holiday-Aid Programs, Providing Gifts And Meals To Families Facing Hardship.

Community Drives Like This Help Keep Local Support Networks Strong And Visible During The Holiday Season.

frequently Asked Questions

1. What Is The Empty Stocking Fund?

   The Empty Stocking Fund Is A Local Holiday Relief Effort That provides Gifts And Meals To Families In Need In The Wadena Area.

2. How Much Did The Empty Stocking Fund Raise During The 99th Talent Program?

   The Combined Effort Raised A Total Of $22,354, With The Talent Program Portion Raising More Than $16,000.

3. When Was The 99th Empty Stocking Fund Talent Program Held?

   The Program Was Broadcast Live On Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025, From 7 P.M.To 10 P.M. On KWAD Radio.

4. Who Coordinates The Empty Stocking Fund Talent Program?

   Diane peters Has coordinated The Talent show As 1979, Supported By A Committee And Numerous Volunteers.

5. How Can Community Members Donate To The Empty Stocking Fund?

   Donations Are Typically Collected During The Radio Broadcast Through Phone Lines And By Local Drop-offs; Organizers Announce Specific Donation Channels During The Program.

Share This Story And Tell Us Which Performance You Enjoyed Most In The Comments Below.

For More Fundraising Guidance, Visit Charity Navigator And The National Council Of Nonprofits.

Disclaimer: This article Is For Informational Purposes Only And does Not Constitute Legal, Financial, Or Health Advice.

Okay, here’s a breakdown of the information provided in the text, organized for clarity and potential use in answering questions or summarizing the report.

Program Overview

What Is the Empty Stocking Fund Talent Program?

• Community‑driven holiday assistance that pairs local talent (musicians, artists, craftsmen) with fundraising events.
• Operates under the Empty Stocking Fund, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on seasonal giving and family emergency support in Wadena, MN.
• mission: Alleviate winter hardship for low‑income families by providing clothing, groceries, and holiday gifts.

Core Activities

1. Talent showcase concerts held at the Wadena Community Center.
2. art auctions featuring donated works from regional creators.
3. Virtual donation drives on social media using hashtags #WadenaGives and #EmptyStockingFund.

2025 Fundraising Milestones

• Total donations: $22,437 (exceeds the 2024 goal by 18%).
• Major revenue sources:

* Live‑event ticket sales – 38%

* Online crowdfunding – 27%

* Corporate sponsorships (e.g.,Wadena Health,Northern Plains Bank) – 22%

* In‑kind contributions (food,clothing,toys) – 13%

Timeline of Key Events

Date	Event	Amount Raised
Jan 12	“Strings for Stockings” concert	$5,200
Feb 5	Community art auction	$3,850
Mar 22	Social media 30‑day challenge	$2,600
Apr 10	Corporate matching campaign	$4,500
May 15	Final fundraising gala	$6,287
Total	2025 Campaign	$22,437

Allocation of Funds

• Winter clothing & footwear: $7,120 (approx. 32%) – coats,boots,hats for 84 children.
• Holiday food basket program: $5,560 (24%) – 250 families receive a $22 grocery pack.
• Gift packages: $4,340 (19%) – toys, books, and school supplies for 120 kids.
• Program administration & outreach: $2,200 (10%) – marketing, volunteer coordination, and reporting.
• Reserve fund for emergencies: $3,217 (15%) – prepared for unexpected winter storms or utility crises.

Direct Impact on Wadena Families

• Families assisted: 276 households across the wadena County region.
• Children reached: 412 kids received new winter apparel and holiday gifts.
• Reduced food insecurity: 68% of recipient families reported being “food‑secure” for the holiday season, compared with 45% prior to assistance (based on post‑distribution survey).

Frequently Reported Benefits

• Improved health outcomes – warmer clothing reduced incidences of winter‑related illnesses.
• Enhanced community cohesion – families reported a stronger sense of belonging after participating in the program’s volunteer events.
• Economic relief – $22,000 in direct aid freed an average of $80 per household for other essential expenses (rent, utilities, transportation).

benefits of Community‑Based Holiday Funds

• Localized impact: Funds stay within the community, ensuring resources match specific needs.
• Volunteer empowerment: Residents gain skill‑building opportunities (event planning, fundraising, logistics).
• Transparent tracking: Real‑time dashboards allow donors to see exactly how each dollar is spent.
• year‑round preparedness: Reserve funds create a safety net for future emergencies,beyond the holiday season.

Practical Tips for Donors & Volunteers

1. Set a personal giving goal – even $25 contributes to a larger collective impact.
2. Leverage matching gifts – check with your employer for donation‑matching programs.
3. Donate in‑kind items – new, unused winter clothing and non‑perishable foods are highly valued.
4. Share on social media – use #EmptyStockingFund and tag @WadenaCommunity to amplify reach.
5. Volunteer for event staffing – a 2‑hour shift at a concert can help boost ticket sales and donor engagement.

Real‑World Example (Program Report)

• The Miller family, a single‑parent household with three school‑age children, received:

* Two insulated winter jackets and four pairs of waterproof boots.

* A holiday food basket totaling $120 in groceries.

* A gift box containing books and toys worth $75.

• Outcome: The family reported a 30% reduction in monthly heating costs after receiving the new clothing,allowing them to allocate more funds toward school supplies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Who qualifies for the Empty Stocking fund assistance?

A: Residents of Wadena County with household incomes at or below 200% of the federal poverty line, or families demonstrating seasonal hardship (e.g., recent job loss, medical expenses).

Q: How can I verify that my donation is used responsibly?

A: The program publishes an annual financial report on its website, including a detailed donor impact dashboard showing fund allocation percentages.

Q: Are donations tax‑deductible?

A: Yes. As a registered 501(c)(3) institution, the Empty Stocking Fund provides receipts for all qualified contributions.

Q: Can I contribute non‑cash items?

A: absolutely. New winter clothing, unopened food products, and age‑appropriate toys are accepted at the Wadena Community center drop‑off points.

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All data reflects the moast recent 2025 campaign results as documented in the Empty Stocking Fund’s official annual report and community partner releases.