Optimist Club Brightening Holidays for 30th Straight Year

More than 200 children are expected for the Optimist Club of West Bloomfield’s annual holiday soiree to help brighten the holidays for local families in need.

A tradition for the past 30 years, this year’s soiree will be held Dec. 5 at Orchard Lake St. Mary’s. A lunch valued at 425, pictures with Santa, crafts, a balloon artist, face painting and a program by a West Bloomfield Parks and Recreation Commission nature educator are all part of the program.

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Some 250 toys, purchased at a discount from Toyology at Orchard Mall, have been wrapped and will be given to the children, who are identified by counselors, social workers and principals in the West Bloomfield School District.

The Optimist Club is still accepting toy donations or $25 gift cards from Target, Walmart, Dunham’s, or Dick’s Sporting Goods for the older kids. If you wish to make a donation, please contact Marge Schwartz at (248) 210-6645.

The Optimist Club of West Bloomfield, founded in 1972 by Jeff Leib, conducts positive service projects in the community aimed at improving life for West Bloomfield youth through a variety of programs.

Some of the events sponsored by the club include a junior golf tournament, essay or oratorical contests, Respect for Law Day, scholarships and others.

The club has nearly 100 members and is the largest service club in the West Bloomfield Township area. More information is found at westbloomfieldoptimist.org.