MEDIA ALERT: Christmas Clearing Council of Waukesha County’s Toy Shop to be held at Waukesha County Technical College

"People know where we (WCTC) are in the county, and it’s a really accessible place for an event like this. We’re looking forward to sponsoring this community-focused event.” -- Kelsey Berg, WCTC manager of events and special projects

PEWAUKEE, Wis. (Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025) – After more than 20 years at its previous location, the Christmas Clearing Council of Waukesha County is moving its annual toy shop to Waukesha County Technical College. The move provides an additional 7,000 square feet of space to support growth and the organization’s mission of providing toys, books and winter essentials to children in need.

>> Media are invited for an exclusive look at the "toy shop" transformation during select times before families’ private shopping day:

Media opportunities:

• WHEN: Thursday, Dec. 18, 5-7 p.m. (Scout troops, student groups and other volunteers will be helping with organization and setup); Friday, Dec. 19, 2-4 p.m. (Additional volunteers to assist with setup)
• WHERE: Waukesha County Technical College – Anthony J. Natalizio (AJN) Center, Building S, Pewaukee campus
• WHAT: Visuals of a stocked toy shop featuring thousands of items, including 70 new bikes (to be delivered Friday), and numerous of local volunteers. 

The CCC has been in operation since 1949 and coordinates giving to families in need during the Christmas season to make the holidays brighter. Last year, around 880 children (from birth through age 11) received toys, games, books, hats, mittens and other items, while 500-plus teens (ages 12-18) received gift cards, said Sarah Hein executive director of the CCC. 

Toy collection bins have been set up from early November to mid-December throughout the county at banks, libraries, medical offices, fire stations, colleges and other locations, and numerous volunteers will be on hand this week to transform the conference center into a festive shop.

To qualify for the program, Waukesha County families with children (birth to 18) must meet income standards for the federal free or reduced lunch program and have placement of their children 50 % of the time or more.

This year, Hein said she expects the numbers to be on par with prior years events, but the WCTC space will allow the toy shop to expand, in terms of space and time.

“Our previous space at St. William Parish served us beautifully for 20 years, but we started looking for a new space to allow us to grow and expand,” Hein said. “With this space, we are able to best serve families.”

Kelsey Berg, WCTC’s manager of events and special projects, said besides more square footage, WCTC provides a convenient, central location.

“People know where we (WCTC) are in the county, and it’s a really accessible place for an event like this,” Berg said. “We’re looking forward to sponsoring this community-focused event.”