A Woodstock tradition made possible by an entire community
Every holiday season, the Woodstock community comes together to make Christmas a little brighter for local families. Through Christmas Clearing House (CCH), the Rotary Club of Woodstock coordinates an effort that brings together volunteers, businesses, schools, civic organizations, and individual donors to provide holiday food baskets, toys, and books to families in School District 200 which includes Woodstock and part of Wonder Lake.
Each year, the program serves approximately 1,300 families and 2,000 children. It is a substantial undertaking, made possible by hundreds of people who contribute their time, resources, and generosity.
The name Christmas Clearing House describes the program's purpose: a central place where contributions from many sources are gathered and directed where they are needed most. It is, in essence, a community-wide effort to connect generosity with need.
A Tradition Rooted in Community
Christmas Clearing House began in 1970, when local Girl Scout troops organized an effort to help families in need during the Christmas season. In 1972, the Rotary Club of Woodstock took up the effort as a Rotary project. The program was formally incorporated as Christmas Clearing House, Inc. in 1976.
In 2019, the City of Woodstock recognized the program's 50th anniversary, commemorating five decades of community service.
More than half a century later, the tradition continues, sustained by the same spirit of neighbors helping neighbors.
Community events and ways to participate
There are many ways to support Christmas Clearing House throughout November and December. The following events offer opportunities to contribute, volunteer, and enjoy the generosity of local businesses and organizations.
November
Wednesday, November 4 — Culver's Fundraiser
Join us from 4–8 p.m. at the Woodstock Culver's, 1260 Lake Avenue. A portion of sales from dine-in, carryout, and drive-thru orders will benefit Christmas Clearing House. This promotion is for the Woodstock location only.
Wednesday, November 18 — Woodstock Country Club Fundraiser
Come for cocktails, stay for dinner! Visit the Woodstock Country Club, 10310 Country Club Road, from 5–8 p.m. A percentage of proceeds will benefit Christmas Clearing House. Dinner reservations are required; call (815) 338-2191. This event is open to the public.
Saturday, November 21 — Panera Bread Fundraiser
Enjoy Panera while supporting local families. The Woodstock Panera, 925 Country Club Road, will donate 20% of net sales to Christmas Clearing House for the entire day.
For online orders, use code FUND4U at panerabread.com, in the Panera app, or at the café kiosk. For in-café orders, show the fundraiser flyer or a digital copy to the cashier. A minimum of $150 in net sales is required for the donation to be generated.
Wednesday, November 25 — Sound in the Sand
Soulful Prairies will host its annual Sound in the Sand fundraiser at 7 p.m. This year's event will donate all proceeds to Christmas Clearing House. Tickets are $15. Learn more and purchase tickets at soulfulprairies.com.
November 25, 27, and 28 — Tag Days
Rotarians and volunteers will be collecting donations outside participating retailers. Shifts are approximately 90 minutes, and volunteers are welcome to help.
Sign up at bit.ly/CCHTagDaysSignUp2026.
Friday, November 27 — Lighting of the Square
Celebrate the start of the holiday season during Woodstock's Lighting of the Square, from 4–8 p.m. Rotarians will be on hand to accept donations for Christmas Clearing House.
December
Tuesday, December 1 — Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday is a special opportunity to support Christmas Clearing House through its dedicated online campaign.
Donate at the CCH Giving Tuesday campaign, or text CCHGIVE to 44-321.
Friday, December 4 — Christmas Clearing House Pub Crawl
Save the date! Join us for the Christmas Clearing House Pub Crawl, visiting six local businesses supporting this year's program:
- Kingston Lanes
- Kishwaukee Brewing Co.
- Niko's Red Mill Tavern
- Offsides Sports Bar & Grill
- Ortmann's Red Iron Tavern
- Squire on the Square
It's a chance to thank these community partners, enjoy their hospitality, and support their special CCH promotions. As long as the featured specials are available, purchases will continue to generate donations for Christmas Clearing House. More details to follow.
Sunday, December 6 — Chipotle Fundraiser
Visit the Woodstock Chipotle, 161 S. Eastwood Drive, from 4–8 p.m. Chipotle will donate 25% of event sales to Christmas Clearing House.
For online pickup orders, select the Woodstock restaurant and enter code CGHJ8T7 at checkout. Orders must be picked up during the fundraiser hours. You can also show the fundraiser flyer in the restaurant. Delivery orders and gift card purchases are excluded. A minimum of $150 in event sales is required for the donation to be generated.
Saturday, December 12 — Brass Act Benefit Concert
Enjoy an evening of music with “Brass Act” at 7 p.m. in the newly renovated and rebranded Stage Left Studio, 125 W. Van Buren Street, Woodstock. There is no admission charge, but donations to Christmas Clearing House are encouraged.
Special guests include Santa Claus, John Hegner, and Cassandra Vohs-Demann.
Saturday, December 19 — Christmas Clearing House Delivery Day
Delivery Day is the culmination of months of preparation. Volunteers gather to load and deliver holiday packages to families throughout the community.
Public volunteers are welcome; no advance registration is required. Meet at American Ad Bag, 1510 Lamb Road, Woodstock, at 8:30 a.m. Deliveries are expected to finish around 11 a.m. to noon.
Drivers should make room in their vehicles for packages. Having two volunteers per vehicle is recommended.
Local businesses supporting Christmas Clearing House
Local businesses play an important role in making Christmas Clearing House possible. Many have created special promotions, donating a portion of sales or proceeds from featured items to the program.
Here are the participating businesses and current promotions:
Special promotions
- Woodstock Country Club — November 1–December 24: $1 from each Christmas Sangria purchase will benefit CCH. This promotion is available to Woodstock Country Club members.
- Squire on the Square — November 11–December 31: 10% of sales from each Mistletoe Martini will benefit CCH. Located at 101 N. Johnson Street.
- Your Sister's Tomato — Thursday, November 12: The food truck will be at 110 Irving Avenue from 4:30–7:30 p.m. Twenty percent of food truck sales will benefit CCH. Walk-up orders and preorders are welcome.
- Cesaroni's Cafe & Deli — November 14–15: 10% of sales will benefit CCH. Located at 236 Main Street.
- Niko's Red Mill Tavern — November 25–December 20: Proceeds from Apple Pie Shot purchases will benefit CCH.
- Kingston Lanes — November 27–December 23: Proceeds from Grinch Shot purchases will benefit CCH. Located at 1330 S. Eastwood Drive.
- Ortmann's Red Iron Tavern — December 1–15: $1 from each ice cream shot and each pint of Elves Red purchased will benefit CCH, while supplies last. Located at 101 E. Church Street.
- Kishwaukee Brewing Co. — December 1–31: $1 from each pint of Elves Red poured will benefit CCH, while supplies last. Located at 1900 Dillard Court.
- Antioch Pizza — Wednesday, December 2: 15% of sales at the Woodstock location will benefit CCH. Located at 150 S. Eastwood Drive.
Season-long community partners
The following businesses have also committed to making donations to Christmas Clearing House:
- The Backdrop, 106 Cass Street
- Offsides Sports Bar & Grill, 680 S. Eastwood Drive
While visiting these businesses, please take a moment to thank them for supporting local families through Christmas Clearing House.
Please check our Facebook page regularly for updates, information and signup details.
Every contribution makes a difference
Christmas Clearing House is much more than a holiday distribution program. It is an expression of what a community can accomplish when people come together around a shared purpose.
Whether you make a donation, participate in a fundraiser, volunteer at Tag Days, help at Santa's Hut, or join the delivery team, your contribution makes a difference.
The Rotary Club of Woodstock is grateful to the many individuals, businesses, organizations, and volunteers who make this tradition possible. Together, we can help bring a little more joy, comfort, and hope to families throughout our community this holiday season.
To learn more, make a donation, or find additional information, visit woodstockrotarycares.org.