12/09/2006

News in Brief

Club helps make holiday brighter

TRAVERSE CITY — The Optimist Club of Traverse City teamed up with two local agencies and elementary schools to brighten the holidays of dozens of local families.

The club held its annual Christmas shopping event last week involving 45 children from Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Northwestern Michigan, Child and Family Services of Northwestern Michigan Inc. and Traverse Heights and Blair elementary schools. Club members escorted the youths through the Target store at the Grand Traverse Mall, where they spent $75 each on Christmas gifts for their families.

It was the 14th year for the event, Optimist Club president Bill Bassett said.