On Tuesday, a giant exhibit hall at the Alliant Energy Center will be transformed into a child's dream.
About 15,000 toys will be unpacked, carefully sorted and lined up by interest, age group and color, waiting for thousands of parents who wanted to buy their child a big gift but can't afford it this year. They'll file in Wednesday and Thursday, perusing toys until they find the perfect present. Then they'll head to Madison Reading Project's makeshift bookstore to find a good read, too.
Visitors peruse book offerings during the first day of last year's Empty Stocking Club Toy Depot event at the Alliant Energy Center.
The Empty Stocking Club has been in pursuit of one goal for 107 years: to bring joy to children at the holidays. The fact that the toy giveaway also brings relief to parents? Well, that's an added bonus.
People are also reading…
Karissa Schroeder is one of those parents. Her 6-year-old son is dreaming big this Christmas, wishing for remote-control cars and Lego sets. Her 1-year-old would like "anything that can be chewed on and played with at the same time."
Kelly Lecker
Schroeder said she appreciates the high-quality toys Empty Stocking Club provides and the fact that parents can shop for the perfect present instead of being handed a toy her child might not want.
But more than that, she's grateful for a little holiday joy. At the Toy Depot, holiday music and festive hats are the norm, and Schroeder said every volunteer greets you with a smile.
"They bring you Christmas spirit," she said. "It's so sweet that everyone wants to help you at Christmas."
Over the years, other recipients have pointed out that holiday cheer and helpfulness too. There are 450 volunteer shifts, and most fill up in the first few hours that registration is open.
Volunteers tend to the requests of gift recipients at the Empty Stocking Club’s 2024 Toy Depot event at the Alliant Energy Center in Madison.
It's a true example of the Madison-area community lifting up their neighbors. The nonprofit is entirely funded by donations from readers and other community members, and each year they come through for people who need a hand.
Companies send volunteers to the Toy Depot, and Reynolds Trucking helps store and unload the toys. UW-Platteville students modify toys so they can be used by children with disabilities. Madison Reading Project provides thousands of books and helps families pick out the best ones.
This spirit of giving was the idea in 1918, when Wisconsin State Journal editors asked readers to donate what they could, from toys to food and clothes. For 107 years, you've come through.
Empty Stocking Club, the charitable arm of the newspaper, expects more people to come for toys this year. We're about halfway to our goal of raising $330,000, which allows us to buy the toys and set up the two-day Toy Depot. If you can help, please donate at emptystockingclub.com.
Kelly Lecker is the executive editor of the Wisconsin State Journal.
Kelly Lecker
Wisconsin News Director
