Our Story
Helping Waukesha County Children Since 1949
Since 1949, the Christmas Clearing Council of Waukesha County has been promoting and coordinating the giving to families in need during the Christmas season. We provide a clearinghouse that matches families with area groups, families, businesses, and individuals who wish to help people less fortunate in our community. In 2019, we coordinated giving to more than 1,900 families and nearly 4,300 children in Waukesha County.
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Ways to Give Back
Ways to Give Back
Ways to Give Back
Ways to Give Back
Ways to Give Back
Ways to Give Back
Ways to Give Back
Ways to Give Back
Ways to Give Back
Ways to Give Back
Angel Awards
2024 Angel Award Winners
The Christmas Clearing Council established the annual Angel Awards in 2006 to recognize those in our community who, through special acts of generosity, further the CCC mission of helping families celebrate a more joyful Christmas. We are proud to announce the 2024 recipients.
Youth Award
Sohpia Martin
Sophia, an Oconomowoc High School student, made 40 tie blankets and donated them to our 2023 Toy Shop. Blankets, quilts and sleeping bags are extremely popular gifts at Toy Shop and every one of the blankets she donated is being snuggled by a happy child. The enterprising Sophia enlisted the support of the Oconomowoc Public Library as a collection site for generous community members to donate fleece.
Community Group Award
The First United Methodist Church Piecemakers
Waukesha
The First United Methodist Church (Waukesha) Piecemakers have been donating beautifully hand-crafted small quilts for our annual Toy Shop for more than 15 years. These treasures are created by a small group of women with a winning combination of patience, talent and love. They are popular items chosen by our Toy Shop clients and used as lap quilts, covers for doll beds and floor mats for infant play time.
Public Organization Award
Hydrite Chemical Corp.
Hydrite and its employees have been actively involved in CCC for more than a decade. The company has donated funds each year since 2013, sponsored children in 2021 and sponsored our 2022 Jingle Bell Jog. In addition, a dedicated crew of Hydrite colleagues has provided a critical service to Toy Shop for many years – sorting, organizing and packaging thousands of stocking stuffer items for the children we serve.
Individual Award
Jason Kellner
A financial supporter, Jason also has been a dedicated volunteer at our annual bike build for more than a decade. After a pandemic-related hiatus on being able to offer a bike as an option for a child, we lost the former volunteer who checked and fine-tuned all the bikes before Toy Shop began. True to form, Jason didn’t hesitate to step up and fill that void in 2023. As a result, all the bikes were ready for riding.
Rookie of the Year
Shannon Fischer
Shannon, an experienced professional, owns Shannon Rose Photography in Waukesha and specializes in family, senior and branding photography. In 2023, she conceived and organized a Christmas family portrait event to support CCC. The proceeds from that event were donated to CCC – a testament to Shannon's sense of community spirit and her generous heart – and used to sponsor 10 children.
Previous Angel Award Winners
2023 Angel Awards
Community Organization:
School District of Waukesha
Rookie of the Year:
Lake Denoon Middle School
Youth:
Oconomowoc High School Spanish National Honor Society
Individual:
Lisa Nasinnyk
Public Organization:
Farm and Fleet-Waukesha
2022 Angel Awards
Community Organization:
St. John's UCC-Merton
Rookie of the Year:
Orange Hat
Youth:
AHS Interact Club
Individual:
Laura Montes
Public Organization:
The Ingleside Hotel
2021 Angel Awards
Community Organization:
Waukesha Sunrise Rotary Club
Rookie of the Year:
Michelle Nehs
Youth:
Catholic Memorial High School National Honor Society
Individual:
Kara Moore
Public Organization:
Waukesha Fire Department
2019 Angel Awards
Community Organization:
Mukwonago High School Community Group
Non-Profit Organization:
Kindness for Kaden
Youth:
Jaiden Scherf
Individual:
Holly Kritter ​
2018 Angel Awards
Business:
Silly Willyz
Organization:
Knit Wits at Ascension Lutheran Church in Waukesha
Youth Group:
Waukesha West High School Ignition
Individual:
Mary Rantala
2017 Angel Awards
Business:
Dorner Manufacturing
Organization:
Menomonee Falls Village Hall
Youth Group:
Girl Scout Troop 6208
Individual:
Peggy Hibbard
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2016 Angel Awards
Business:
Won-A-Go Biking
Organization:
River Glen Christian Church
Youth Group:
Poplar Creek Elementary School
Individual:
Mark and Beth Anne Krahn
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2015 Angel Awards
Business:
Advanced Disposal
Organization:
Brooklife Church
Youth Group:
Brookfield Central High School Student Council
Individual:
Darin Taft