Genesis |
In the summer of 1989 Claude
DeLosh, a member of the Bloomfield Hills Optimist Club, was surprised to hear one of his
customers comment on how many underprivileged and disadvantaged children lived in
communities neighboring the Bloomfield's. Soon after at an Optimists meeting he
brought up the paradox of wealth and poverty residing side-by-side and the vision of the
"Children’s Holiday Wish Program" was born. Claude’s tireless efforts
to launch the program earned him the "godfather" reference for which he is so
well known and remembered today. |
| |
Milestones |
1989: Program initiated
by Optimists members who bought, wrapped and personally delivered 150 gifts to the homes
of underprivileged children. |
| |
1995: Oakland-Livingston
Human Services Agency works with the Optimists to identify disadvantaged children (150%
below poverty level) living in Oakland County who might otherwise not have a meaningful
holiday season. About 500 children were targeted for gifts that year. |
| |
1998: Dramatic growth
forced a change in logistics to accommodate the increased number of children served by the
Optimists. Names of "at-risk" students with special needs were added. Also added
were sponsoring companies whose employees purchase and wrapped gifts. The Optimists picked
up wrapped gifts from these companies and dropped them off at a central distribution
point. Over 1000 presents were bought, wrapped and delivered to schools prior to the
holiday recess. |
| |
2000: Organic, Inc.
volunteered use of its lower level of offices (plus a covered, heated garage) to wrap,
store, and load gifts onto trucks for delivery. The Bloomfield Township police and fire
departments joined as volunteers. Program grew to over 1300 children. |
| |
2002: The continued
increase in program recipients dictated a push to increase the number of volunteers
associated with the program. Oakland-Livingston HSA identified over 1800 children who were
worthy of receiving presents under the at-risk or disadvantaged guidelines. |
| |
2003-06: The practical
limits of growth are now apparent with a target of 2000 children receiving gifts. The
Optimists embarked on a program to increase the number of sponsoring companies, increase
the number of adult volunteers, and seek assistance from the Bloomfield Hills high schools
for community service volunteers. |
