Clarkston Rotary Club’s annual Shoes for Kids program makes a difference for hundreds of families each holiday season.
One former recipient wanted to make a difference herself this year ? she donated $1,000 to help the annual program provide Clarkston area school children in need with new winter boots and shoes, hats, mittens and gloves.
‘She blew us away with the check,? said Mindy DeLong, who organizes the community project with her husband Joel DeLong and other Rotarians. ‘It helps a lot.?
The donor, who asked she not be identified because she still has children in Clarkston schools, said it was her way to say ‘thank you.?
‘I felt it’s the right thing to do ? they helped me when I needed it,? said the donor, who also volunteers each year for the program. ‘I believe you have to give back to those who help you, to help those coming in after me.?
She’ll be out with Rotarians and volunteers at Clarkston intersections Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5-6, selling the Goodfellow edition of the Rotary newspaper. All donations in the Goodfellow newspaper drive, which is printed by The Clarkston News, go to Shoes for Kids.
‘Many who stop to make donations tell of the impact the program had on them when they were growing up,? Joel said. ‘It is, by far, our most heartwarming activity and the signature project of the Clarkston Rotary Club.?
They use the donations to purchase about 1,200 pairs of shoes and boots in a wide variety every year, Mindy said
‘We have different styles and designs,? she said. ‘We’ve seen little girls dance around, so happy to have new shoes. We’ve had shoes that light up, like their smiles light up.?
The Clarkston Lighthouse staff and Clarkston Community School social workers determine and sign up children on a need basis. This year, more than 400 Clarkston children are signed up for the program.
‘Clarkston is a rich community, but we see kids come in with hand-me-downs, shoes falling apart, sizes too big or too small,? Mindy said.
Clarkston Rotarians, friends of Rotary, Clarkston Lions Club volunteers, members of Oakland Woods Baptist Church, as well as a Boy Scout troop volunteer more than 2,000 hours to complete both programs.
‘It takes a lot of volunteers beyond our small Rotary membership to make this a successful project,? Joel said.
‘Volunteers say it’s the best thing they’ve ever done,? Mindy said.
Clarkston schools and local churches support the program by collecting new hat and glove donations. Oakland Woods Baptist Church provides support and use of their church on the day of the distribution. Clarkston Lions provide Project Kidsight, a free pre-school eye examination, and Clarkston Area Optimist Club participates with their Opti-Socks program.
‘The Shoes for Kids program is truly a collaborative community effort,? Joel said. ‘Please stop and make a donation when you see the volunteers. Help make the children of Clarkston a little warmer and safer this winter. The children of Clarkston will thank you.?