Bringing Christmas magic to children

Christmas presents have always been a big part of the holiday season, especially presents for children.

It's hard to imagine a child waking up Christmas Day without having any presents to open.

Yet, right within Waukesha County, there are such children. Fortunately, there is also an organization that is working to prevent children from having a giftless holiday.

Celebrating its 60th anniversary year, the Christmas Clearing Council of Waukesha County is in high gear as it heads into the holidays, scouring the community to find children and presents and to make sure the two connect.

"We're kind of like a matchmaker," said the organization's executive director, Ruth Jones, at a recent Waukesha Rotary Club meeting. Jones explained that the children are sponsored by various organizations in the county. A big part of the CCC is "finding organizations to sponsor the families and then coordinating them so that there are no duplications," said Jones, who mentioned public schools and food pantries as a couple of groups that identify needy families.

Charity of Choice

The CCC finds gifts for children as young as newborns and as old as seniors in high school who qualify for the free lunch program. "We ask the children what they would like," said Jones. Then, volunteers sort through the items generous folks have brought to 75 locations throughout the county during the CCC's toy drive.

Many groups make CCC their holiday charity of choice. "As you read their history, it's always been very much a community organization," said Jones. Soccer clubs, Spanish clubs and school national honor societies are among the school groups that have assisted CCC through fund raisers. Businesses often help, too. "Many have dress down days to raise money to sponsor a family," said Jones. The Waukesha Rotary donations to CCC go toward books for children.

Besides gifts, CCC hands out gift cards to children. Last year they distributed $36,000 in gift cards.

Jones told the story of one 14-year-old girl who bought pencils, underwear, mittens and toys with her $60. "For once in my life I felt rich," she told the organization in gratitude.

Giving Hope

Another touching story involved a mom who went to get gifts for her kids with gift cards from CCC. "She had on a very thin coat on a cold day, but wanted only something for her children. When they found out it was her only coat, they bought her a new coat," said Jones. She thanked the Christmas Clearing Council by saying, "You gave hope when I felt hopeless."

That is exactly what gives everyone involved with the Christmas Clearing Council so much satisfaction. "For people in struggling situations, we give them hope at Christmas," said Jones.

These next months are filled with special events for CCC. Last Saturday, a special 60th anniversary celebration was held at La Casa de Esperanza. The event featured a "Sweet Adventures" theme to coincide with the Candy Land game, which is sharing a 60th anniversary with CCC.

The CCC also has produced a 60th anniversary cookbook, featuring a couple dozen stories written by Carroll University students as part of service projects.

The CCC is planning to be in the Waukesha Christmas Parade on Nov. 21 downtown. "People can drop off presents on the Christmas parade day," said Jones.

The organization will also have a presence at the Dec. 5 Art Crawl in downtown Waukesha.

Jones wants to make sure as many people as possible are aware of all the good cheer being spread by the CCC. "What we really want people to do is sponsor a family," said Jones. "We want children to have that feeling of magic at Christmas."

About Christmas Clearing Council

In 1949, radio station WAUX began the Empty Stocking Club, an organization that collected money, clothes and toys to be distributed through the City Welfare Office to needy families during the Christmas season. By 1955, with more than 81 families receiving help, the Waukesha Service Club, Jaycettes and committees formed through the Health and Welfare Section of Waukesha County Council of Social Agencies took over operation of the program that eventually became the Christmas Clearing Council of Waukesha County.

Today, CCC is a nonprofit group that matches needy families with individuals and groups who want to help on a person-to-person basis during the holiday season. Families who are not matched with sponsors are invited to CCC's annual Toy Shop, stocked with donated items, to shop for their children.

In 2008, more than 4,600 Waukesha County children from about 2,000 families experienced the joy of the holiday season because of the efforts of CCC and its volunteers, donors and sponsors. CCC was recently awarded honorable mention for the "Small Nonprofit of the Year" by the Waukesha County Executive's office.

Those interested in learning more about CCC, or the cookbook, are encouraged to call (262) 549-6635 or visit www.christmasclearingcouncil.org.

How Sweet it is!

Christmas Clearing Council celebrated its 60th anniversary with a gala event and fundraiser last Saturday at La Casa de Esperanza. Based on the popular Candy Land game, the event had a "Sweet Adventures" theme and featured Candy Land-themed food stations, music, a commemorative cookbook sale, the Angel Awards ceremony, a silent auction and a ballroom raffle.