Avondale School District Partners with Community Service Organizations to Provide Back-to-School Shopping Fun

A group of local service-based organizations in the city of Auburn Hills joined forces with Auburn Hills Meijer to provide a memorable evening of Back-to-School Shopping for some lucky Avondale students.

The Auburn Hills Police Department, Avondale Youth Assistance, and Auburn Hills Morning Optimist Club all partnered with Meijer and Avondale School District for the event that matched students with volunteer shoppers who helped them select their back-to-school clothes.

Photo credit: Avondale School District

“The shopping event sets a positive pace for the start of a new school year for the students,” said Avondale Deputy Superintendent Karen Olex. “The students enjoyed shopping and getting new backpacks and supplies. Many of the student expressed their excitement about having new clothes to wear on the first day of school.”

In addition to shopping, the students were treated to dinner compliments of Meijer who also provided the gift cards used to purchase the new clothes. “Meijer donated about $2200 toward the event this year,” said Auburn Hills Chief of Police Doreen Olko who has been the primary organizer of the Back–to-School Shopping event for the past five years. “We couldn’t do this without their generosity and the generosity of the Optimist Club and Avondale Youth Assistance.”

The Auburn Hills Morning Optimist Club, who sponsors several activities for the Avondale School District including the annual Oratorical Contest, a Bike Safety program, All-State athletic plaques, and Boys State and Girls State student participation funded the transportation for the Back-to-School shoppers.  Several members of the Club also volunteered during the evening. Avondale Youth Assistance donated backpacks and school supplies for each of the students and helped coordinate the event.

Olex, who has given her time to the shopping event in the past, plans to continue volunteering for community activities that benefit Avondale students. “I’m always happy to work with our community partners to create opportunities for our students and though the shopping night was really about the kids, it was also an example of how the Avondale community comes together for common purpose.”