Clarkston Rotary Impacts Community

“Shoes for Kids”
Over the past 78 years the Clarkston Rotary has sponsored a variety of community assistance programs while solely focusing on the “Shoes for Kids” program for the past 40 years and over 11,000 Clarkston children have benefited.  This community service program is made possible by the assistance of so many service-minded volunteers, as well other community organizations involved during the activities in early December. The time and energy provided by the participants is affirmed by many of the volunteers returning each year to enjoy the sights and sounds of the one day event.  Photos and Full Story "Read More"
 
    New shoes for girl in pink                                        Carter helping his volunteering mother
  President Mary Sloan selling papers
 
   Chad Blackstone on Washington Street                Shoe Inventory
 
In early December over 120 Rotarians and volunteers were out in force on local streets and Holiday events selling a cooperative Club and Clarkston News special edition “Goodfellow” newspaper for donations. 100% of the donations go directly to providing Clarkston area school children with new winter boots, shoes, hats, and mittens or gloves.
 
Over the past 21 years over 8,500 children have participated in the distribution project, thousands of volunteers have committed their time and the Clarkston community has generously donated of $275,000 to make "Shoes for Kids" a reality.

This service program is only made possible with the assistance of so many service-minded volunteers, as well other community organizations involved during the days of activities in early December. Clarkston Rotarians, friends of Rotary, Clarkston Area Lions, Clarkston Optimists, Oakland Woods Baptist Church, Boy Scout Troop #199, as well as Cub Scout Pack #499 are all part of the 400 volunteers who contribute over 2,000 hours to help complete both the newspaper sales and “Shoes for Kids” endeavors.  
 
The Clarkston Lighthouse staff and Clarkston Community School social workers and teachers work to help determine and sign up children in need of a little extra assistance.
Local restaurants show their support by donating sustenance to the volunteers.
 
On December 8th, 436 Clarkston Community School children were invited to Oakland Woods Baptist Church and each child was provided with new winter boots, shoes, hats, and gloves. This year over 50 people were involved in the Friday night set up and for “Shoes for Kids” 160 volunteers worked in two hour shifts providing for 35 children every half hour.  We proudly gave out over 800 pairs of shoes and boots this year.  
The Clarkston Rotary Club, family members and the many volunteers are truly grateful to the Clarkston community for their continued support as collectively We Can Make a Difference in a Child’s Life.
Interested in learning more about the two programs or participating and volunteering in either Clarkston Rotary event next year, seek us out on clarkstonrotary.org or by calling Clarkston Rotarian, Joel DeLong at 248-625-9741.