With the Christmas season approaching, the Webster County Share Your Christmas program is once again preparing to ensure families across the county experience a brighter holiday, serving 186 kids this holiday season. The effort, now more than four decades strong, continues its mission of helping parents who may be struggling to provide gifts and holiday meals for their children.
The program began in the early 1980s when founder Neva Schroder coordinated the work from her home and placed a Take a Wish tree inside the courthouse. Over the years, the project has seen name and leadership changes, with longtime organizer Betty Funk dedicating nearly 30 years to the cause before passing the responsibility forward. Today, the Webster County Food Pantry oversees Share Your Christmas and manages the growing number of families seeking assistance.
For 2025, donors may select an envelope from the Share Your Christmas tree, located at the Webster County Courthouse in Marshfield. Each envelope lists only a case number, the age of each qualifying child, and two to three items the child needs or is interested in, including clothing and shoe sizes. Confidentiality remains a priority and no personal information is shared.
The program serves hundreds of children each year thanks to the generosity of local residents. While younger children are often the first to be selected, organizers continue to encourage donors to remember teenagers, who are frequently overlooked. Teens are just as excited to receive clothes, books, accessories, video games or gift cards, and these options do not need to be expensive to be meaningful.
Share Your Christmas supports low-income and special needs families with children’s gifts and, when eligible, provides ingredients for a holiday meal. Those adopting a family are asked to read the instructions inside their envelope before leaving the tree at the courthouse. The paper ornament inside each envelope must be filled out with a donor contact name and number and placed back onto the tree so volunteers can follow up if needed.
Once shopping is complete, each gift should be clearly labeled with the case number, age and gender of the child or teen. For the 2025 season, gifts will be accepted at the Marshfield Lion’s Club on Sunday, Dec. 7 from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. and Monday, Dec. 8 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Distribution will take place at the Marshfield Lion’s Club, located at 210 West Maple Street, on Tuesday, Dec. 9 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Families, churches, civic groups and workplaces are encouraged to participate. Those who do not wish to adopt a family may make a monetary donation, which the committee will use to fill gaps for cases that do not receive a sponsor.
Anyone with questions or wishing to contribute financially may contact Annie Nehl at 417-827-0508. Community members are encouraged to pick an envelope, shop with intention and help Share Your Christmas bring a little extra magic to Webster County youth this holiday season.
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