McPherson School Supply Train

The McPherson School Supply Train was started in 1994 by Shirley Adams. Her daughter Jodi was living in Texas at the time and said that they had a program like this down there. Shirley decided that it was a good idea because as a teacher she often saw kids show up with few or no school supplies. The Optimist Club heard about Shirley\'s idea and stepped up with a $1,000 donation to help the program get started. The club has been the biggest supporter of the program since its inception 15 years ago. Pictured are Keith Janzen, Optimist Club Treasurer, Shirley Adams and Marsha Silver, the current coordinator of the program and daughter of Shirley Adams. This is just one of many donations the Optimist Club makes each year to benefit the youth in McPherson. Many of these donations are from the profits of the Mid America Classic Girl\'s Basketball Tournament the club hosts the last week of January each year.