Back to school time brings out the Optimist Club

For sixteen years, the Sheboygan Noon Optimist Club has helped students go back to school. And over the years, the school supply drive has grown to serving 800 students to more than 1700 at last count. It's a family tradition for some. Having received the supplies when they were a student, they now return to volunteer in the program.

 Approximately 100 volunteers, Optimist Club members and others, volunteer the day of the event. According to program co-chair Linda Machtig, families begin to line up as early as 3:00 in the morning. It's like Best Buy after Thanksgiving Day, she explains.

She also explained that the need is so great that next year they will begin to advertise earlier for donations. More than 15,000 products were purchased this year, totally depleting their funds. The Optimistic way though is not to complain, but instead, find a way to do more. The Sheboygan Noon Optimist Club promises to do just that.

 Watch a clip of the Sheboygan Noon Optimist Club’s Back to School Basics School Supply Giveaway.


      

Video courtesy of the Sheboygan Press.