TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – The Terre Haute Noon Optimist hosts their annual auction to prepare for their Clothe-A-Child event.
Since 1934 there is one thing that has become a certainty in Terre Haute.
It’s that the local Noon Optimist Club will pass out items like coats and underwear to students in need.
“There’s a lot of needy kids in the Terre Haute area. These are kids that have been selected by the health workers and counselors in the school corporation,” said Ed Utterback, president of Terre Haute Noon Optimist Club.
Utterback says to give out winter items to around 800 plus students, it costs between $55,000 and $60,000 dollars.
To help fund their Clothe-A-Child event, they call on the community to take part in an auction.
“They sit around the table, they talk, they share stories, they bid on the items. A lot of the times they bid more than they’re worth but they know it’s going to a good cause,” Utterback said.
For some members of the community, the Clothe-A-Child auction has become a part of their yearly routine.
“Probably started in the early 70’s at the old VFW on South 13th street, so fifty plus years,” said Dennis Atterson, auction participation.
Atterson says the auction has become a way to not only help students in need, but to also get some Christmas shopping out of the way.
“It’s a double dip really, the money goes to the children and the parents that buy this, get their Christmas. It’s terrific,” Atterson said.
Tuesday’s auction raised around $20,000 dollars.
The Clothe-A-Child event will happen December 14th at the South Walmart in Terre Haute.
Utterback says the Noon Optimist Club could possibly clothe over 900 students this year.
Donation for Clothe-A-Child can be sent to Hayhurst & Hayhurst Accounting.
That is located at 519 Wabash Avenue in Terre Haute.
