MARC JACOBS
Hutch Post
Eagle Media’s Long-Running “Adopt-A-Child” Program Nears Deadline as Community Steps Up to Help Local Families
With Christmas just around the corner, Eagle Media’s long-standing Adopt-A-Child program is once again rallying the community to ensure local children in need wake up to gifts under the tree. General Manager Matt Althouse and afternoon host Randy McKay joined the KWBW Morning Show this week to talk about this year’s effort, now in its 35th year, and the renewed push to match remaining children with local adopters.
What began in the early 1990s with just 16 children has grown into one of the area’s most impactful holiday traditions. At its peak, the program has supported as many as 260 kids across Reno, Harvey, and McPherson counties, working in partnership with the Kansas Department for Children and Families (DCF) and its predecessor agency.
“We were nervous that first year,” McKay recalled. “Sixteen kids felt like a lot. But within three hours, every single one had been adopted. And it just grew from there.”
A Year of Need — and Community Response
This year brought new challenges. Eagle Media lost one of its longtime major supporters, creating early concern over whether all children could be matched. But as the week progressed, phones began ringing, and community members stepped forward—many adopting multiple children or entire sibling groups.
“We’ve had some really big help these last few days,” McKay said. “People may think, ‘Oh, they’ll get it covered.’ But we genuinely rely on folks stepping up each year.”
Some families come back to adopt because they were helped by the program themselves in years past—a full-circle moment that organizers say perfectly captures the spirit of the season.
“One year, a family who had been helped the previous Christmas came in and adopted a family of their own,” McKay shared. “That stays with you. That’s what makes all of this worth it.”
The emotional impact
For Althouse, now in his third year in Hutchinson, the experience is both joyful and humbling.
“You wish programs like this weren’t necessary,” he said. “But when you see parents come to pick up gifts and they’re in tears—just overwhelmed with gratitude—you realize how important this is.”
Eagle Media’s basement will soon be stacked floor-to-ceiling with wrapped presents. On Friday, Dec. 12, adopters will bring gifts to the annual Turn-In Party, complete with pizza, cookies, and holiday cheer. Volunteers will sort and tag each child’s gifts before distribution.
Reno County families pick up gifts the following Monday. Gifts for McPherson and Harvey county children are delivered to the DCF office in Newton the next day.
“When I drop off that very last bag, it’s such a relief,” McKay said. “Every year I wonder if we’re going to pull it off—and every year, this community comes through.”
How to Adopt a Child
The process is simple:
Call Eagle Media at (620) 662-4486.
Listeners can adopt one child or an entire sibling group. Wish lists are provided, though participants aren’t expected to purchase every item listed.
“It doesn’t have to be everything,” McKay said. “The difference between having something versus nothing on Christmas morning—that’s huge.”
Althouse added that the experience became a teaching moment for his own kids. “My kids had a budget and shopped for another family. It helped them understand that Christmas doesn’t ‘just happen.’ It was eye-opening for them.”
After nearly four decades, Adopt-A-Child remains one of Hutchinson’s most beloved holiday traditions—uniting families, volunteers, radio listeners, and donors in a shared mission.
“Our goal has always been simple,” McKay said. “Make sure every child on that list has a Christmas. And thanks to this community, year after year, we get it done.”
For those wanting to help, organizers emphasize there is still time.
“Just call 662-4486,” McKay said. “We’re here all day. If you want to adopt a child, we’ll make it happen.”