Dear Editor:
The Clarkston Rotary would like to thank the Clarkston community for supporting and embracing our club’s Goodfellow newspaper sales, which provides the funds necessary for the ‘Shoes for Kids? program.
Invitations were sent to 522 local Clarkston school children this year. Each child was provided with a new pair of winter boots and shoes, as well as a new hat and gloves.
This year was a great success and the Clarkston Rotary would like to thank the following for helping to put smiles on the faces of Clarkston children:
? To the Clarkston News, Jim Sherman, and Don Rush for their continued commitment in publishing the Goodfellow newspapers. To Don Rush for his patience in bringing the paper to press. The 7,500 newspapers went quickly, in spite of ordering 500 more papers this year.
? To Mr. Alan’s Superstore in Redford, Jason Riegle, store manager, and the store volunteers for the time, energy and support they provide.
? To Oakland Wood Baptist Church, Pastor Bob Galey, and members of the congregation for their continued support by selling Goodfellow newspapers. For providing both the use of their church and volunteer support for the ‘Shoes for Kids? distribution day.
? To the Clarkston Community Schools Social Workers and Lighthouse of Clarkston, who have spent hours of support and energy in providing the children names.
? To the Clarkston elementary schools, students and their families whose contributions to their school’s ‘Hats and Gloves Christmas tree? helped increase the selection dramatically.
? To Shades Above Hair Salon in Waterford for their efforts in providing extra hats and gloves.
? To the Independence Township Offices and Parks and Recreation for their donations.
? To ‘People to People?, Kathy Noble and the 32 area high school students who volunteered for ‘Shoes for Kids? distribution day. May your trip to Greece and Italy this summer be as enjoyable as your efforts in volunteering.
? To Independence Township Professional Firefighters Associations Local 2629 for their contribution.
? To Renaissance High Student Council for donating proceeds from their pizza sales.
? To Child Care Council of Oakland County for donating from their Friday casual jean fund.
? To Church of the Resurrection, First Congregational Church of Clarkston, and Oakland Woods Baptist Church for their donations of new winter hats and gloves.
? To the three local Kroger stores and their managers for allowing Cub Scout Pack #314 to sell Goodfellow newspapers outside their stores and for giving them an opportunity to learn community service ‘good deeds?.
? To Dick and Pam Schmaltz for using their power of persuasion in getting Santa to stop by to see the children.
? To Kirt Stalker for his perseverance in collecting all day in the rain and sleet on Friday, December 1st.
? To Ed and Sharon Cox for their hours of volunteering and even finding time for a little ‘clowning around? with the children.
? To the City of the Village of Clarkston Department of Public Works for providing the ‘warm? office space serving as the headquarters during the two days of Goodfellow newspaper sales.
? To O’Malley’s Galley Restaurant and Catering (Dennis and Michelle O’Malley) and Food Castle Supermarket (Sam Nannoshi and family) for providing hot chili and soup. The volunteers coming in from the rain and snow really appreciated it.
? To Cub Scout Pack # 314, John Arnold, and Valerie Weaver for organizing the boys for the new Friday night collections and all day Saturday at the Kroger stores.
? To Boy Scout Troop #199, Kevin Roy, their leaders and parents for selling the Goodfellow newspapers at Bordine Nursery.
? To the Clarkston Lions Club, Mike Mercier, president, and its members for participating in the newspaper sales. Their efforts were greatly appreciated. A special thank you to Lion Jerry Baumgart for his collections and finding new collection sites.
? To the Clarkston Community School teachers for their participation in both Goodfellows and ‘Shoes for Kids?.
? To the River Dawgs baseball team, and Jeff Harvey for joining in the Friday night newspaper sales.
? And to the many family members and friends of Rotary who support our endeavors in so many ways. Without their trust and efforts, the task would be impossible.
? And finally, a special thank you to the many people whose generous donations make possible the purchase of new shoes, boots, hats, mittens and gloves for the 522 Clarkston Community School children this year.
Joel DeLong
Clarkston Rotary
‘Shoes for Kids? Chairperson