Heartland United Way ready to provide holiday assistance
GRAND ISLAND, NEBRASKA (October 1, 2026) Struggling families in Hall, Hamilton, Howard and Merrick Counites can now request holiday assistance.
Registration for the Heartland United Way’s holiday programs begins October 1 through November 15 online at heartlandunitedway.org.
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 Program.
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. The Toy Drive provides holiday assistance for children ages 12 and under in Hall, Hamilton, Howard and Merrick Counties who otherwise would go without gifts during the holidays. Locations to drop off toys will be announced on Heartland United Way’s website & social media starting in early November. Toy distribution will be on December 10. In 2025, 2,303 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 2025, Heartland United Way connected 36 local families with adopters. You can sign up to adopt a family at: heartlandunitedway.org/helping-during-holidays
Christmas Cheer
Christmas Cheer provides a voucher to Hall County individuals and families who would struggle to purchase groceries for a holiday meal. In 2025, 1,296 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 make the holidays brighter for our struggling neighbors.