Waukesha County Christmas Clearing Council helping kids this holiday season
WAUKESHA, Wis. - Getting thousands of toys ready for boys and girls in need, one workshop in Waukesha could even make Santa Claus jealous.
He may have a sleigh, but the Christmas Clearing Council of Waukesha County has trucks, vans, buckets and boxes.
The nonprofit has a toy shop, and Sarah Hein is the group's executive director. She said there are about 400 more kids receiving toys compared to last year.
SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News
"We want to make it an easy time for families who struggle financially year-round to provide Christmas gifts for their children," Hein said. "Families just can’t make ends meet beyond the basic shelter, food, clothing – Christmas gifts are kinda at the bottom of list sometimes for that budget – that’s where we come in to fit that need."
With each toy she sets out, Peggy Hibbard thinks about what it was like when she couldn’t give her own kids a present.
"It was rough, even though they would get presents from grandma and grandpa – they didn’t have anything under the tree from mom and dad or Santa," she said.
Hibbard is among the 200 volunteers setting up the toy shop.
Families who signed up and qualified will be back on Saturday, Dec. 21, to pick out their gifts.
Katie Thiele was volunteering with her employer, Riley Construction. They hope to build a memorable Christmas for kids.
FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX6 News app for iOS or Android
"It’s kind of a really cool experience – something to be a part of," Thiele said. "They know Santa came or that their parents have helped and brought gifts as well."
The Christmas Clearing Council of Waukesha County has been around since 1949. In 2022 alone, the group helped 4,800 kids.
There are also opportunities to directly sponsor families.