Can you help? Christmas Clearing Council makes last-minute push for children in need

WAUKESHA (WITI) — With nearly 300 additional children to be shopped for this year at their annual Toy Shop, Christmas Clearing Council of Waukesha County (CCC) is hoping the community will come forward in the next week to help them in their quest to provide Christmas gifts to children in need in Waukesha County.

They are seeking new, unwrapped toys and gift cards for teens to distribute to families who have not been sponsored through their personal giving program.

“With more applications, we are asking for the community to step up and include CCC toy or gift card donation as part of their Christmas giving plans this year. This is the last week for folks to help us stock the shelves of our Toy Shop to be held on December 13 this year. They have until December 10 to drop toys, scarves, hats and mittens at one of our toy sites. They can also send gift cards to our office which will be distributed to families with teens," CCC's Executive Director Ruth Jones said.

A complete list of CCC toy drop-off locations can be found on www.christmasclearingcouncil.org. Gift cards and donations can be mailed to CCC at P.O. Box 34, Waukesha, WI 53187-0034 and donations can also be made online through PayPal on the CCC website.

Welcomed toys include cars, dolls, building toys, books, crafts, sports items, board games and riding toys for children ages birth to 11 and character toys related to popular movies or children’s television programs. Items particularly needed include: mittens, gloves (especially waterproof), hats and scarves, sizes infant to adult; books, ages birth to teen; pre-teen items – mp3 players, jewelry, large Lego kits, shower gels and lotions, purses and accessories; and infant and toddler toys.

“There is nothing like knowing you are fulfilling a child’s wishes, especially at this time of year. We are asking people to consider donating new, unwrapped toys at one of our toy drop-off locations for those children for whom we don’t find sponsors. It makes such a difference to those families who want to provide a brighter Christmas for their children and they are really grateful to know people in the community care,” added Jones.