TCD’s Guide to Giving Back this Holiday Season

Spend the holidays by giving back this year. Run, walk, skip, or stroll for various charities throughout Southeastern Wisconsin. Join hundreds of Santas as they run along Lincoln Memorial Dr., walk through downtown Thiensville, or take a stroll in Waukesha’s Frame Park while sipping on hot cocoa. There are countless events this holiday season that offer something fun for everyone.

Many runs and walks offer unique t-shirts, hats, goody bags, food and beverages. Some also feature festive music and decorations throughout the courses. Most of the events are family friendly, so come and enjoy the brisk winter weather while helping someone in need this holiday.

If you’re unwilling to brave the cold, fear not, there are several holiday food drives and charity events around the city. Help the less fortunate this season by donating toys, non-perishable food items, or take part in the silent auctions throughout the season while helping feed thousands of people.

Runs/Walks

YMCA’s Doug Opel’s Run for the Kids
Nov. 22, 9:30 a.m. race start
Sheboygan YMCA, 812 Broughton Dr, Sheboygan
(920) 451-8000

Celebrate 35 years of giving back to kids! YMCA partners with Youth Program is a 2-mile run/walk or a 10K run along the Marina and beautiful shore of Lake Michigan. Registration: Before Nov. 20 -$16/person with a long sleeve t-shirt, $12/person without a t-shirt, after Nov. 20 an additional $2 to the fees listed above.

The Junior Woman’s Club of Mequon-Thiensville “Turkey Trot and Gobble Gallop” is one of the biggest fundraisers of the year. The 5K run/walk benefits Toys For Tots. The course runs through downtown Thiensville and there is a 50 meter dash for children 9 and under at the Thiensville Village Park. It is held on Thanksgiving morning and has over 1,000 participants. Donations of non-perishable foods items are collected on the day of the race. Registration: $25 by Nov. 12, $30 after Nov. 13

Drumstick Dash 5K
Nov. 22, 8:30 a.m. race start
Wisconsin State Fair Park, Cream Puff Pavilion, 640 S. 84th St, West Allis

A new Thanksgiving day family tradition is coming to the Wisconsin State Fair Park. The Drumstick Dash 5K is a 3.1 mile walk/run that will take participants around the Historic Milwaukee Mile Speedway plus additional points within Wisconsin State Fair Park. The race is open to all ages and non-perishable food donations will be collected the day of the race. Race benefits Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. Registration: 5K Adult- $35 before Nov. 20, $40 day of race; 5K Kids- $20 before Nov. 20, $25 day of race (ages 5-12); Kids 4 & Under- Free.

OneStep 5K and Fun Run
Nov. 23, 12 p.m. race start
Grand Geneva Resort & Spa, 7036 Grand Geneva Way, Lake Geneva

Support One Step At A Time Camp for Kids with Cancer the Friday after Thanksgiving by joining the 5K walk/run and Kids Fun Run. Registration includes a cold-weather running hat as well as 20 percent discount for services at the Well Spa. The route will run along the Grand Geneva Spa and neighboring areas. The Kids Fun Run is 1 mile and are for children twelve and under. This year there will be a post run event with food, drinks, an awards ceremony and a drink ticket for runners 21 and above. Bring the family and support a wonderful cause. Registration: Adults- $40; Kids Fun Run (12 and under)- $20

Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis
Dec. 1, 9 a.m. kids run, 9:30 a.m. race start
Sturtevant SportsPlex, 10116 Stellar Ave, Sturtevant
(414) 321-3933; bzisky@arthritis.org

5K run or walk. Jingle Bell Run/Walk is a fun and festive way to kick off your holidays by helping benefit the Arthritis Foundation! Wear a holiday themed costume. Tie jingle bells to your shoelaces. Run or walk a 5K route through Renaissance Park with your team members and celebrate the season by giving. Registration: Adults- $30, Kids- $15

Milwaukee Santa’s 5K
Dec. 1, 9:25 a.m. kids dash start, 9:30 a.m. race start
McKinley Park, 1750 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr, Milwaukee, WI

Run with hundreds of Santas this winter at the Milwaukee Santa’s 5K to benefit Playworks Milwaukee. All participants receive a Santa stocking hat and event t-shirt. Along the course, participants can enjoy hot cider, cookies, candy cane stations, a mistletoe arch, and a water station. Registration: $31 by Nov. 29, Kids Dash-Free, $38 day of race, Kids Dash-Free

Run For A Reason
Dec. 1, 9:30 a.m. start
InStep Physical Physical Therapy & Running Center, 403 E. Buffalo St, Milwaukee
InStepRunning@gmail.com

Bring family and friends for the 2 mile or 5K run/walk. Refreshments are available after the race. Don’t miss out on this fun run/walk to help Toys for Tots this holiday. Registration: no pre-registration just a $10 suggested donation

Stuff The Sleigh 5K
Dec. 8, 10 a.m. start
Monument Square, downtown Racine
info@planaheadevents-racine.com

Gather your family and friends for the 5K walk/run in downtown Racine. All participants will receive a long sleeve t-shirt and a goody bag. There will also be post-race refreshments. Bring two canned goods for the Racine County Food Bank and you will be entered into a special drawing the day of the race. Registration: $20 by Nov 22, $25 on or before Dec. 7, $30 day of race

Santa Run-Walk
Dec. 9, 10:30 a.m. start
People’s Park, 337 W. Main St, Waukesha
(414) 736-3267

Grab your costumes and be a part of Waukesha’s Christmas event! Enjoy a run or walk through Frame Park and downtown Waukesha and support The Salvation Army of Waukesha County. After the race, fresh cookies, hot beverages, prizes and festive music will be available. Registration: Adults- $20, Student/Child- $15 by Nov. 22; Adults- $25, Students/Child- $20 by Dec. 5; Adults- $30, Student/Child- $30 from Dec. 5-9.

Santa Hustle 5K
Dec. 22, 9 a.m. start
Veterans Park, 700 N. Art Museum Dr. Milwaukee

Be part of one of the largest growing races as thousands of Santas will hit the streets of Milwaukee at the Inaugural Santa Hustle 5K Run/Walk. Every participant will receive a free Santa hat, beard, and a customized Santa t-shirt. There will also be outrageous holiday decorations, music, candy cane stations, and hot apple cider and hot chocolate at the finish line. Participants are encouraged to bring an unwrapped gift for Toys for Tots. Race benefits the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Registration: $35 before Dec. 8, $40 from Dec. 8-14, $45 from Dec. 15-21

Samson Stomp & Romp
Jan. 20, 9:30 a.m. 5K start, 10:15 a.m. 2 mile Fun Run/Walk start
Milwaukee County Zoo, 10001 W. Blue Mound Rd, Milwaukee
(414) 256- 5406; emily.saletine@milwcnty.com

Head to the Milwaukee County Zoo for the annual Samson Stomp & Romp, benefiting the zoo’s animal collection with an emphasis on the relatives of Samson, the iconic silverback gorilla. The race takes place throughout the Milwaukee County Zoo and included are a long sleeve t-shirt, free zoo admission, and beverages. Participants can donate their old cell phones to the zoo for recycling. There will be a total of four races throughout the day: the competitive 5K race, 2 mile fun run/walk, 1 mile romp for children and the quarter mile romp for children. Bring along the family and enjoy a fun filled day outside! Registration: 5K / 2-mile / Children’s Race- $17/runner, Families with 4 or more- $14/runner, Teams with 5 or more- $14/runner, day of race- $20/runner

Holiday Food Drives, Charities, and Donations

Hunger Task Force: Rexnord Turkey Ticker Challenge
Throughout November
201 S. Hawley Court, Milwaukee
(414) 777-0483

Help out this holiday season and buy/donate a turkey and Rexnord will match that turkey. Each turkey will be the centerpiece of a full Thanksgiving dinner for a family in need. Hunger Task Force will fill bins with stuffing, gravy, cranberries, fresh potatoes and fruit, pie for dessert and a fresh turkey. Donations are accepted online or in person at 201 S. Hawley Court, Monday through Friday 8:30 a.m.- 5 p.m.

Stuff The Bus
Nov. 21, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Pick n’ Save, 11111 W. Greenfield Ave, West Allis

The 15th annual Stuff The Bus food drive benefits Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin. Kidd and Elizabeth from 99.1 The Mix will broadcast live and encourage listeners to donate non-perishable food items including canned meat, canned fruit and vegetables, canned soup and chili, peanut butter, pasta, rice, macaroni and cheese, etc. For every $1 donation, Feeding America Eastern Wisconsin can provide five meals.

We Are Feeding Milwaukee
Nov. 21, 5 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Wisconsin State Fair Park, 640 S. 84th St, West Allis, WI

The Hunger Task Force and CBS 58 are teaming up together this Thanksgiving to hold a drive-thru at Wisconsin State Fair Park. Drop off a donation before you celebrate Thanksgiving this year and receive a thank you treat before you leave.

Hanksgiving
Nov. 21
Kochanksi’s Concertina Beer Hall, 1920 S. 37th St, Milwaukee
(414) 837-6552; kochaskiconcertinabeerhall@hotmail.com

Get in the holiday spirit and attend Hanksgiving, an event to help raise donations for the Hunger Task Force. Musicians from all over the state will be performing music samplings of various “Hanks.” Admission is $10 or $5 with the donation of five non-perishable food items.

Candy Cane Lane
Nov. 23 – Dec. 26
Neighborhood bounded by Oklahoma and Montana Avenues and 92nd to 96th Street, West Allis

For more than 20 years, the west side neighborhood is transformed into a winter wonderland to benefit the Midwest Athletes Against Childhood Cancer (MACC) Fund. Pack the family into the car and stroll or drive through the neighborhood to enjoy Christmas lights and decorations. Visitors are encouraged to make a donation.

WGIRLS Milwaukee 4th Annual Hope for the Holidays
Dec. 6, 7 – 10 p.m.
MOCT, 240 E. Pittsburgh Ave, Milwaukee

Join WGIRLS Milwaukee for the 4th Annual Hope for the Holidays as they celebrate the season of giving and brighten the lives of the children in the Family Reunification Program at Lad Lake’s St. Rose Center. Enjoy complimentary drinks, appetizers, music, and a silent auction from 7 – 8 p.m. Guests can also purchase presents through the giving tree program. If you bring in socks, undergarments, hats or scarves you’ll receive a free raffle ticket. Tickets are $25.

Fourth Annual Hope Shining Gala
Dec. 6, 5:30 – 8:30 p.m.
Marcus Center for the Performing Arts, Bradley Pavilion, 929 N. Water St, Milwaukee

The Fourth Annual Hope Shining Gala’s theme this year is “Sharing Stories for Healing,” a tribute to survivors who share their stories, overcome obstacles and give others hope. The night will feature a silent auction, food, and live music to benefit The Healing Center. Tickets are $70.

MKEfoodies Holiday Bake Sale 2012
Dec. 8, 12 – 4 p.m.
Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery, 901 W. Juneau Ave, Milwaukee info@mkefoodies.com

Mark your calendars for the season’s biggest and most delicious bake sale. The event is free and will include sweets and treats from home cooks and baking enthusiasts. Come pick up holiday treats and gifts for friends, family and loved ones. Event benefits Cookies for Kids’ Cancer.

Jolly Holly Folly
Dec. 12, 5 p.m.
InterContinental Milwaukee, 139 E. Kilbourn Ave, Milwaukee

Enjoy an evening of cocktails, a spectacular array of food from more than 25 of Milwaukee’s finest restaurants, and finish the evening with an exclusive performance from the Milwaukee Repertory Theater. Event benefits the AIDS Resource Center of Wisconsin.

Young Milwaukee Holiday Gala 2012
Dec. 14, 7 p.m.
Milwaukee Athletic Club, 758 N. Broadway St, Milwaukee, WI

The Zilber Neighborhood Initiative sponsors this Holiday Gala event that raises funds and provides toys to children all over the Milwaukee area. There will be complimentary hors d’oeuvres, live music, and a photo booth. Tickets are $20 and each guest is asked to bring an unwrapped toy.

Trans-Siberian Orchestra
Dec. 30, 3 p.m.
BMO Harris Bradley Center, 1001 N. 4th St, Milwaukee

The ultimate Christmas Concert will be returning this year at the BMO Harris Bradley Center for two shows. $1 from every ticket sold will go directly to Feed The Hungry and Hunger Task Force and volunteers will be accepting food and cash donations when you arrive.

Build-A-Bear

Dec. 7-9, store hours

Build-A-Bear Locations

This holiday season bive the gift of a Teddy Bear to a child  by donating a toy for the Marine Toys For Tots.  You can also make a purchase of a furry friend to donate to the toy drive.  U.S. Marines will be on hand at all locations to collect the toys.