Christmas Clearing Council Opens Seasonal Offices

Christmas Clearing Council of Waukesha County, Inc. (CCC) has opened its seasonal office to serve children in need in Waukesha County for the 2011 holiday season. Because of continued economic pressures, CCC anticipates a greater need for its services this year. CCC is seeking businesses, organizations, clubs, schools, families and individuals to sponsor families.   On October 17, CCC started matching families, organizations and individuals willing to sponsor children with families in need. Families with children of all ages are available as well as single child or multiple child households. Infants, toddlers and teenagers are always greatly in need of sponsorship. Interpreters are available for those who are willing to sponsor a Spanish-speaking family. Sponsorship involves purchasing toys or clothing in the amount of $60 per child. Sponsors should make arrangements to deliver their gifts of Christmas toys or clothing personally by December 14. Interested sponsors are encouraged to call (262) 549-NOEL (6635). CCC takes calls Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Beginning November 14, the CCC office will also take calls Monday evenings from 6 until 8 p.m.   Families who are not matched with sponsors through the program are invited to come to the CCC Toy Shop to shop for community-donated gifts and clothing items for their children. CCC is also requesting donations from the community of cash and gift cards to help children for whom a sponsor is not found. “This year we hope the community will remember our mission to help those families in need at this special time of year. After several years of a trying economy, the need is very great. We are looking for sponsors and donations to carry out our mission whether its money, toys for our toy drive or gift cards. There are many ways to help,” said Ruth Page Jones, CCC’s executive director.    About Christmas Clearing Council Celebrating its 60^th anniversary in 2009, the Christmas Clearing Council of Waukesha County 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 2010 more than 4,500 Waukesha County children from more than 1,900 families experienced the joy of the holiday season because of the efforts of CCC and its volunteers, donors and sponsors. CCC was awarded “Small Non-Profit of the Year” in 2011 by the Waukesha County Executive’s office. Those interested in learning more about CCC and ways to support its mission are encouraged to call 262-549-6635 or visit www.christmasclearingcouncil.org. Look for CCC on Facebook and Twitter.