Local boy hosts Christmas toy drive through Dec. 6

One Kenosha boy is hoping to make Christmas merrier for Kenosha families in need this holiday season.

Thomas said he wanted "maybe 200 to 1,000" toys donated through his drive this year, which will later be handed to students at Kenosha Unified schools. Donations are being accepted at Shel's Bridal, 625 57th St. fourth floor, through Dec. 6.

"It helps people get Christmas presents," he said. "Like some people, who are homeless or something, like some people who are homeless or something, don't get Christmas presents, and like everyone else got Christmas presents, it doesn't feel right to me. Like one year, my mom struggled to get me Christmas presents, but she did her best."

Thomas, who is also the reigning Mr. Sweetheart America, has held toy drives in the past, but has been receiving help from Sweetheart of America royalty Jadyn Eisenbraun and Evangeline Azure this year.

"(The toy) is going to be something that (children) can have and they can cherish for hopefully a long time. It's something that's going to make not just their day, but maybe their year, or their whole life better," Eisenbraun said. "I don't think people realize that it's just one it's one act — one small thing —that's going to change a kid's life."

Autumn Thomas, Jaxson's mother, said he's "very adamant about helping other children."

"Because he knows that I used to struggle," she said. "And he has learned, 'be a part of the community, do things for the community.'"

The drive is also accepting donations for wrapping paper. For more information call Autumn Thomas, 262-771-5378 or Shel's Bridal, 815-901-7280.