For the 53rd consecutive year, the Clarkston Rotary Club will be braving the elements to sell their annual Goodfellow Newspaper.
The Rotarians will be out around town on Friday, December 5 and Saturday December 6. Once again donations will be taken so the Rotary can provide shoes, boots, hats, mittens and gloves to more than 350 local children.
“It is amazing how this continues to grow. Three years ago we provided for 220 kids, last year it was 350 kids,” Clarkston Rotary President Joel DeLong said.
Rotarians, family and friends of Rotary will sell a special Rotary edition of their Goodfellows Newspaper at the corner of Main and Washington, and at Maybee and Dixie from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. each day of the sale. In addition, newspapers will also be sold at the Kroger’s on Dixie Highway and the Farmer Jack stores on Dixie and White Lake and Sashabaw and Waldon. Members of Cub Scout Pack #314 and Boy Scout Troop #199 will join in the Saturday collections at the local grocery stores.
The shoe distribution is scheduled for Saturday, December 13. In order to have a supply big enough for 350 children, DeLong estimates the group will need to raise between $10,000 and $13,000.
“It is definitely a worthwhile function,” DeLong said. “A lot of people have already come up to me and asked when we are selling the papers. They are already anticipating it. This is our way to give back to the community and especially the children.”
After receiving and counting the donations, the Clarkston Rotary purchases the shoes and such from Mr. Alan’s Shoes at a reduced cost.
“Their manager of the Redford store, Jason Rigle, volunteers and comes out her with a truck and helps size the kids and get them the correct shoes. It is really something,” DeLong said.
The Rotary receives the names of the needy children through area churches and social workers from the Clarkston Schools.
“We always hear from people who were recipients as children. An if they make an effort to tell us about it you know it had a huge impact on them,” DeLong said.
Once again, The Clarkston News will be printing the papers for the Rotary.
Donations can be made directly to Goodfellows and mailed to Clarkston Rotary Club, PO Box 43, Clarkston 48347.