Students to benefit from Roseville Optimist Club donation

ROSEVILLE — With the motto “bringing out the best in kids,” the Roseville Optimist Club has been helping children in the community since it formed in 1992.

From organizing backpack giveaways to being sponsors in the annual Roseville Community Schools Scholarship Foundation’s charity golf outing, Optimist Club members try their best to live up to the organization’s motto.

The club’s most recent donation will benefit students of Roseville Community Schools. At the district’s Feb. 26 Board of Education meeting, Board members Keith Jacobs and Dana Freers announced that the Optimist Club will donate $500 to each building in the district.

“This was made possible through the generosity of the Southeast Michigan Chamber of Commerce and County Commissioner Harold Haugh,” said Jacobs, who is also the Roseville fire chief. “Through fundraisers and other contributions, we try to help the kids when and where we can. With this donation, we do ask that the money be used in such a way that it benefits the students within your building.”

Freers, a past president, also encouraged staff to provide an article — about 200-300 words with photos — for the club’s newsletter explaining how the money was used and how many students benefited. Educators also can apply for other donations.

“Other funding may be available throughout the school year but will require a formal donation request and a little more information,” Freers said. “Some teachers that know of our club have been requesting assistance every now and then. These requests must go through our donation review committee and be voted on by the club’s board of directors.”

Freers added the request forms were sent to all the district’s building principals, and teachers can get the form from the principals. There are 10 schools in the district: seven elementary, two middle schools and one high school.

Currently, there are 68 members in the club. John Surhigh is the current president, Mike Batke is the secretary and Maggie Rollinger is the treasurer.

Potential members are always welcome. The Roseville Optimist Club meets at 7 p.m. the first Tuesday of each month in the training room of the Roseville Fire Station, 18750 Common Road. The organization also has a Facebook page.