SHORT VERSION:
It’s the Toy Drive. Lots of you have probably been before, and I love you for it. It’s hugely important to me and we’re doing it again. We have a Willie Nelson tribute, a Chad Brady art auction and raffles for a turntable and speakers from Eroding Winds, tattoos from Silver Tuna, a guitar from Mike’s Music and Sound, and lots of other rad stuff from my favorite local spots.

This year we’re not just collecting toys, but also things from the Harbor House needs list, which you will find here as well.

It’s a ton of fun, it’s a good cause, it doesn’t get much better than that. I hope to see you there. Tell everybody.

LONG VERSION:
For the last 12 years I have been proud to curate and host the annual Toy Drive to benefit Harbor House in my home of Appleton, WI.

It has been more than a decade of punk shows, folk shows, rock and roll shows, and tribute shows featuring dozens of artists in 5 locations over the years. All with a ton of help from my saintly wife.

Even at the height of COVID the Toy Drive found a life online and raised nearly $6,000 with videos submitted by musicians from all over the world.

To date we have raised over $42,500 dollars and collected more than 3,000 toys without ever taking a cent from the cause to pay an artist or a venue. 100% of the money we raise goes directly to Harbor House so that when people give, they know what they’re giving to.

This year we are at Gibson Community Music Hall with a tribute to the great Willie Nelson featuring performances by Matt Blake, Victor James, Zach Pietrini, Justin Regner, and myself. We’ll have raffles from local businesses, an art auction from the wonderful Chad Brady, and who knows what else. I have learned to expect to be surprised. Just make sure to bring some cash for raffles and for the donation at the door. I do know that we are definitely giving away a turntable and speakers courtesy of my friends at Eroding Winds and tattoos from my friends at Silver Tuna and lots, lots more.

One of the big differences the last couple of years is what we hope to collect. The primary goal of the event is to help Harbor House and the people utilizing their services, so as those needs change our goals change with them.

This year we’re hoping to help keep Harbor House stocked with necessities, as well as provide a little holiday cheer for some teens and adults. To that end you can find a current list of needs below and do your shopping accordingly.

This event means a great deal to me and I’m proud of not only what it has done, but how we’ve done it. It exists because people care as much as they do. I’m eternally grateful to every artist, every business, every venue, my wife for all of her help, and everyone who has ever lent a hand to help the cause. And it’s fun too, I can promise you that.

I look forward to seeing you on December 9 at Gibson Community Music Hall (who have graciously donated their space again this year) to have some fun and do some good. Tell a friend, check the list, do some shopping, and know that you’re part of something big and important.

Thank you.
-Christopher

visit www.harborhousewi.org to learn more about the important work they do.