Brown Santa toy drives kick into gear this week with the distribution of donation barrels around the county and announcement of donation events throughout the coming weeks.

The Williamson County Brown Santa program provides toys to disadvantaged children who live outside the city limits of an area that does not have a similar program, a news release stated. Toys will be distributed to families on Dec. 14.

Collection barrels rolled out Nov. 19, and a news release listed the following Brown Santa events to take place in November and December:

On Nov. 23, the program will host Santa Claus at Wolf Ranch Town Center in Georgetown. Santa will be escorted into the shopping center by the Blue Knights law enforcement motorcycle club. Following the lighting of the Christmas Tree at 6 p.m. and running until 7:30 p.m., Santa will be available for photos for $8 each, the proceeds of which will benefit the Brown Santa program and the Simon Youth Foundation.

At the Lighting of the Square event on Nov. 29, Santa will be available for $7 photos in the Historic Courthouse from 6:30–8 p.m. Residents must enter the courthouse from the south side. Donations of new, unwrapped toys will also be collected at the event.

Softball players are invited to take part in the Brown Santa Mayhem Softball Tournament on Nov. 30 and Dec. 1 at the McMaster Athletic Complex in Georgetown. Divisions include men's, women's and coed teams and the entry fee is $175, with an additional $50 worth of toys or gift cards going to benefit the Brown Santa program.

Williamson County Constable Robert Chody's office will host its annual toy drive for Brown Santa on Dec. 4 at the Walgreens at 10600 W. Parmer Lane, Austin. Donations of toys and funds will be accepted.

Commissioner Lisa Birkman and her staff will host a Christmas Party to benefit Brown Santa on Dec. 5 from 4–6 p.m. at her office, 1801 E. Old Settlers Blvd., Ste. 110, in Round Rock. Guests are asked to bring an unwrapped toy or cash donation to Brown Santa for the party.

Donation barrels for Williamson County Brown Santa will be available at the following locations until Dec. 9.

  • Williamson County Courthouse, 710 S. Main St., Georgetown
  • Williamson County Sheriff's Office, 508 Rock St., Georgetown
  • Williamson County Inner Loop Annex, 301 S.E. Inner Loop, Georgetown
  • Williamson County Justice Center, 405 Martin Luther King St., Georgetown
  • Williamson County Central Maintenance, 3151 S.E. Inner Loop, Georgetown
  • NextCare Urgent Care, 900 N. Austin Ave., Ste. 105, Georgetown
  • J.B. and Hallie Jester Annex, 1801 E. Old Settlers Blvd., Round Rock
  • Brushy Creek Community Center, 16318 Great Oaks Drive, Round Rock
  • Sam Bass Fire Department, 16248 Great Oaks Drive, Round Rock
  • NextCare Urgent Care, 1240 East Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock
  • United Heritage Credit Union, 301 Mays Crossing Drive, Round Rock
  • Velocity Credit Union, 900 W. Round Rock Ave., Round Rock
  • Williamson County Cedar Park Annex, 350 Discovery Blvd., Cedar Park
  • Five Below, 11066 Pecan Park Blvd., Ste. B06B, Cedar Park
  • Chinati Court off Sun Chase Blvd. in Cedar Park
  • The Liberty Hill Independent, 14251 W. SH29, Ste. B, Liberty Hill
  • Austin Telco Federal Credit Union locations in Cedar Park, Georgetown, La Frontera, Lakeline, Leander, Louis Henna, Taylor and University Oaks

Residents applying to benefit from the Brown Santa program must submit their applications in person. All applicants are required to provide some form of photo identification. Applications are accepted at the following locations during regular office hours until Dec. 6:

  • Williamson County Sheriff's Office, 508 Rock St., Georgetown
  • Precinct 1 Constable Robert Chody's Office, J.B. and Hallie Jester Annex, 1801 E. Old Settlers Blvd., Round Rock
  • Commissioner Lisa Birkman's office, J.B. and Hallie Jester Annex, 1801 E. Old Settlers Blvd., Ste. 110, Round Rock
  • Williamson County Cedar Park Annex Sheriff's Office, West Side Command, 350 Discovery Blvd., Cedar Park

For more information on any Brown Santa event, applying for assistance, volunteering or barrel locations, visit www.wilcobrownsanta.com.