It’s time, Kokomo! The annual We Care Telethon is back this weekend! This beloved holiday tradition brings our community together to support local families and neighbors in need. Now celebrating its 53 year, We Care continues to be one of Kokomo’s most meaningful charitable fundraisers, powered by generous donations, volunteers, and nonstop telethon energy.

What is We Care?

For anyone new to the area (or just needing a refresher), We Care is an all-volunteer, local nonprofit that raises money to support community organizations serving Howard County and the surrounding area. What makes We Care especially unique is that 100% of the funds it raises are distributed to selected local agencies that help neighbors who are disadvantaged or less fortunate, including individuals and families facing serious needs, as well as those who are mentally or physically challenged.

The heart of We Care’s fundraising is its annual 48-hour radio/telethon broadcast auction, held every year on the first full weekend of December. During the telethon, thousands of donated items are auctioned off on air and online, with the entire event staffed and operated by community volunteers.

Behind the scenes, We Care is truly a community-wide effort with more than 700 volunteers across dozens of coordinated departments where people come together to make the telethon weekend happen, proving year after year that Kokomo shows up when it matters.

Donation Drop-Off Times

We Care will be accepting donations for the 2025 Telethon during the following times:

Monday, December 1 – Thursday, December 4:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

We Care Telethon Weekend:
Friday, December 5: 9:00 AM through
Sunday, December 7: Noon

If you’re planning to donate, please bring items that are clean, dust-free and in good working condition. We Care reserves the right to use discretion on additional items and donations will not be returned, so double check before you load up the trunk.

If you have questions about what We Care can accept, call 765-865-8192 during donation hours.

Donations can we dropped off at We Care, located at 1700 E. Sycamore St. in Kokomo.

Items We Care Cannot Accept

To help protect volunteers, storage space and shoppers, We Care cannot accept the following items:

Exercise equipment of any kind
Pianos or organs
Used appliances (small or large)
(washers, dryers, ovens, refrigerators, coffee makers, toasters, etc.)
Used TVs
Used printers
Used upholstered furniture of any kind, including mattresses
Entertainment centers

We Care will also use discretion for other items not listed.

We Care Store Hours (Shop + Support!)

Shopping the We Care Store is another great way to support the cause and snag some community favorites while you’re at it. You’ll find beloved staples like the iconic cheeseballs, branded sweatshirts and nostalgic We Care goodies such as Doo-Dah & Stuff, potato chips and soup mixes, plus exclusive We Care puzzles, ornaments and more!

Monday, December 1 – Thursday, December 4:
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Telethon Weekend:
Friday, December 5: 9:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Saturday, December 6: 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM
Sunday, December 7: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

After Telethon Weekend:
Monday, December 8: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday, December 9: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday, December 10: 9:00 AM – 12:00 Noon

The We Care Store is located at 1700 E. Sycamore St. in Kokomo.

About the 2025 We Care Telethon

The We Care Telethon runs Friday, December 5 through Sunday, December 7.

Here’s how you can tune in:

Listen: 100.5 WWKI
Watch: Xfinity Channel 2 (Kokomo only)
Stream:
- We Care Kokomo Facebook page
- We Care’s official website

Important reminders:

Keep an eye on the We Care Facebook page where they’ll be posting the bidding phone number.
More information is coming soon about the We Care Wrap Auction, so stay tuned for dates and details as they’re announced.
And don’t miss the upcoming “Check Presentation Day” livestream — We Care will share the date soon, and it’s a great chance to see how the money raised this year is distributed to organizations across our community.

Extra Ways to Support We Care This Year

Books-A-Million’s Annual Holiday Book & Toy Drive

Now through December 7 at Markland Mall

Books-A-Million has teamed up with We Care again for their annual gift-giving program:
“Give the Gift of Grinch.”

Here’s how it works:

Visit Books-A-Million
Purchase selected books, toys and games
Those items are donated directly to We Care

We Care will then distribute donations to:

Kokomo Rescue Mission – “Red Ribbon Christmas” family boxes
Kokomo Urban Outreach – Christmas Day bus gift giving

Stop in and ask a sales associate about the “Give the Gift of Grinch” event benefiting We Care!

Barberspa & Lounge Benefit for We Care

Located at Markland Mall

Barberspa & Lounge is helping out in a big way this season!

Bring in any new men/boy undergarment or a new blanket and receive:
- $5 off a haircut

Donated items will be provided to:

Kokomo Rescue Mission
Kokomo Urban Outreach

And if you don’t need a haircut right now — no worries. Donations are still welcome, and every item helps.

Let’s Show Up, Kokomo ❤️

We Care is one of those special things that makes our community feel like home. Whether you donate items, shop the store, tune into the telethon, bid on auction items or support through local businesses, every bit counts and every bit stays local.

You know what to do, Kokomo. Bid high and bid often!

2025 We Care Guide