Posted by J DeLong on Dec 18, 2017
            The Clarkston Rotary Club would like to sincerely thank all of those who so generously donated during the recent newspaper sales on local streets and holiday activities. The spirit of the donors was encouragement for those volunteers collecting, not only for their contributions but also for the appreciation of their efforts.
            “Shoes for Kids” has been the Clarkston Rotary’s signature community service project for the past 39 years. It takes the collaborative efforts of not only club members but the many friends of Rotary and family members to bring each year’s project to fruition.  The Clarkston Rotary has been proudly involved in a Goodfellow type newspaper sales and subsequent service project for the past 77 years.
            On December 9th 320 Clarkston community school children were hosted at Oakland Woods Baptist Church and provided with new winter boots, shoes, hats, and gloves.
The Clarkston Rotary Club and all of the many volunteers would like to say thank you to the Clarkston community as collectively, ‘We Can Make a Difference in a Child’s Life’.
            The Clarkston Rotary would like to express its gratitude and appreciation by acknowledging the following groups, organizations and businesses for the success of this year’s program:
            ● A special thank you to The Clarkston News, Jim Sherman and Don Rush, Publisher and their staff for preparation and publication of the special Goodfellow edition, as well as the efforts of Rotarian Mary Sloan in bringing the paper to print.
             ● We are truly grateful to Oakland Woods Baptist Church, Pastor Sheridan and their congregation for hosting the annual shoe distribution day. To their church members for volunteering their time to help insure that both projects are an absolute success.
            ● To Boy Scout Troop #199 and their troop leaders for organizing troop members in collecting donations at three holiday event locations. They exemplify everything a community looks for from its future leaders. Troop #199 has provided continuous support to this community service project for the past 19 years.
            ● To Cub Scout Pack #499 for participating in their fifth year of selling newspapers at Neiman’s Family Market. The enthusiasm and efforts of the scouts did not go unnoticed.       
● To the Clarkston Optimists for their continued support with the Opti-Socks program.
            ● To the Clarkston Area Lions Club for providing free eye exams to all of the families attending.
            ● To the City of the Village of Clarkston for providing their warm DPW garage for use as a newspaper headquarters.
            ● To Lighthouse of Oakland County, and the Clarkston Community School administration, Social Workers, teachers and staff for their efforts and support of the “Shoes for Kids” program.
            ● To MPK Photo and Mark Kelly for building family memories through the family portraits and photos taken with Santa throughout the day.
            ● To Jim Jacques for spending the entire day in a warm red suit making kids laugh and smile as they tell Santa what they want for Christmas.
            ● To Neiman’s Family Market for permitting Cub Scouts to learn community service by selling newspapers at their Clarkston store and their continued support of the Clarkston Rotary’s many community service projects.
            ● To Union Joints (Woodshop and Clarkston Union), Hamlin Pub, Brioni’s Café and Deli, and the Tim Horton’s on Maybee for their commitment and dedication in supporting the many volunteers involved over the two weekends.
            ● A special thank you to the Clarkston elementary schools who hosted their annual Hat, Mitten and Glove Tree collections. Their continued support provides variety for the attending children as well as extending the program further into the community. 
            ● To all of the volunteers, friends, and family members of the Clarkston Rotary Club who gave so generously of their time, energy, and donations to make this year’s events a true gift. It is the dedication and commitment of the almost 300 volunteers over the two weekends that ultimately benefits so many Clarkston children.
 
From the Clarkston Rotary Club & Joel DeLong “Shoes for Kids” Chair