On Dec. 2, 2023 the town of Nashville was straight out of a holiday movie. With the Brown County Community Foundation’s 9th Annual Stuff a Stocking event, Christkindl Market, Salvation Army’s Light Parade, the Luminary Salt Creek Trail walk and so much more, the town was alive with the spirit of Christmas.

Approximately 271 children started the morning by picking up their ticket, red and white striped stocking, and bag from BCCF and off to the merchants they went. Thank you to the 23 locations that allowed the children to venture into their shops to pick up goodies.

The BCCF would like to thank the following businesses for the generous contribution to this event:

Brown County Public Library, Pioneer Women- Brown County History Center, At Home with Heartland, Brown County Rock &Fossil Shop/Copperhead Creek Gem Mine, Changing Seasons, Carmel Corn Cottage, Big Woods Pizza, Hobnob Corner, The Wild Olive, B3 Gallery, LLC, Candy Emporium, Fallen Leaf Books, Jack &Jill Nut Shop, The Clay Purl, Sora Binti Boutique, The Toy Chest, Nashville Spice Company, LLC, Brown County 4-H, Nashville Fudge Kitchen, Lakehouse Candle Company, Lawrence Family Glass Blowers, The Educated Otter, Touch of Silver, Gold, &Old and sponsor JB Goods – Life is Good store.

We would also like to thank Hills O’Brown Vacation Rentals for sponsoring the Nashville Express train for the day.

Events this large could never take place without the wonderful help of volunteers. They include:

Donna Ormiston, Nancy Brown, Beverly Teach, Phil McKown, Victor Bongard, Emily Austin, Katie Finney, Ann &Bill Walters, Janet Norman, Annie Hawk, Mattie Satter, Jan Mills, Shaely &Wendy King and Laurie Teal.

We want to draw special attention to a group of volunteers who made the event even more magical with the addition of the Stuff A Stocking Christmas Train. This adorable photo op was made possible with a collaboration between Bill Walter, M.K. Watkins, and Dan Johnson. Bill designed it. Dan provided materials. And then M.K. added her talented artistry to it with exquisite detail. BCCF plans to add to the train each year to make it a special photo stop for families to share.

More than $4,500 was raised from BCCF Stuff a Stocking and will be placed in the Stuff A Stocking Unrestricted Endowment. These funds will be awarded to the Not for Profit organizations that benefit and support children in our community through our Competitive Grants cycle.

Thank you for making the 9th annual Stuff a Stocking such a success. Mark your calendars for next year, our 10th Anniversary of Stuff a Stocking. Dec. 7, 2024 will have big surprises, stockings of joy and lots of holiday cheer!

The Brown County Community Foundation has the best interests of the community at heart. By supporting charitable organizations in broad areas of community need – education, social services, health care, arts and humanities and environment – we help build a stronger, healthier Brown County.