In 1952, a gentleman by the name of Clarence “Pop” Wendt worked as a Probation Officer in Jefferson County, Wisconsin. Sadly, his job took him into a great deal of homes where far too many children would go without Christmas gifts and other necessities because of their families’ hardships.
Pop made it his personal mission to change that for as many children as he possibly could! He orchestrated his first toy drive by contacting the Jefferson County Social Service workers. They helped him collect and distribute toys for as many children as their funds would allow.
Initially, this program was known as “The Pop Wendt Program”. While the goal is the same, more than 72 years later, Pop Wendt’s mission is carried on as the Jefferson County Christmas Neighbors. Each holiday season, hundreds of families and nearly 2,000 children throughout communities in our area are served!
Christmas Neighbors Accepts Donations of:
- New and gently used toys and gifts
- New blankets
- New hats, gloves, mittens and scarves
- Christmas themed wrapping paper
- Scotch tape
- Used household items in excellent/good condition
Donation Drop-Off Sites (through December 15):
- Badger Bank main branches (Fort, Jefferson, Johnson Creek)
- Premier Bank main branches (Fort Jefferson, Johnson Creek)
- Fort Community Credit Union main branches (Fort, Jefferson)
- County City Credit Union – Jefferson
- Theisen’s – Jefferson
- Library – Jefferson
- U.S. Cellular – Jefferson
- Tan-A-Latte – Jefferson
- Jefferson Memory Care
- Paddy Shack Golf & Gaming – Fort Atkinson
- Library – Fort Atkinson
- Arby’s – Watertown
- Pizza Ranch – Watertown
- Create A Pack – Ixonia
- Jefferson County Fair Park Activity Center, 503 N. Jackson Ave. (Only on Tuesday, December 16 from 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m)
Monetary donations are greatly appreciated and can be mailed to P.O. Box 177, Jefferson, WI 53549.
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