PONTIAC Kids jumped and screamed among strewn
wrapping paper as they held up gifts and toted presents
to show parents. Boxes and bags overflowed with toys
from little hands.
The children, ages 3 and 4, were opening Christmas gifts
from the Oakland Livingston Human Service Agency and the
Bloomfield Hills Optimist Club as part of the Children’s
Holiday Wish program Thursday morning.
Wearing a yellow shirt and matching sneakers, 4-year-old
Airez Smith was pulling gifts from a pink shoe box.
“I got some books and a card,” she said. Airez also
received a doll, slippers and a
gift card, which she referred to as her credit card,
to buy a
phone with. Her mother, Crystal, watched. “It’s greatly
appreciated,” she said.
Other children held up Hot Wheels racing cars, including
Keith Webb Jr. who raced his car down a red and blue
track.
“I beat you,” he squealed. He also received Hot Wheels
sneakers, which lit up in red lights.
Santa sat in a chair watching the proceedings.
This year, the Children’s Holiday Wish program was able
to give presents to 2,800 Oakland County children
through donations. More than $100,000 was raised.
Scouting father-and-son teams assembled 140 bikes for
children, as well.
The event was a community effort with volunteers of all
ages, said Tamara Tazzia , Optimist Club president.
“I want to cry,” Tazzia said, as she wiped tears off her
face. “Each year, it gets a little bit bigger and
better. I think it gives them a sense of knowing that
their child is getting something.”
Many of the Optimists felt that way, as they said many
of the children probably wouldn’t have had much of a
holiday with financial restrictions.
After the children were done playing with their toys,
they helped stuff wrapping paper into garbage bags as
they shouted out, “Thank you.”
“Every penny we take in goes to them,” Tazzia said.
“Everyone who does this gives from the heart.”
FYI
For more information on the Bloomfield Optimist Club,
visit
bloomfieldoptimist.org. For more information on
OLHSA, visit
www.olhsa.org.
Contact staff writer Valerie West at (248) 745-4633 or
valerie.west@oakpress.com.