Project Contact: Carolyn Sievers
9918 Del Rio Way
Cypress, CA 90630
(714) 995-3562
c.sievers@sbcglobal.net
Optimist Club of Coquitlam (32066) - Pacific Northwest District
U-18 Curling Championships
The U-18 is the showcase for 8- to 11-year-olds to become aware of the
podium opportunities in curling. Day 1 is a development camp with national trainers. Every
curler is engaged 100% of the time and plays in every game of the competition,
including the finals. Children in curling do not need to be bigger, stronger
or faster to go from the playground to the awards podium. The spirit of
curling promotes life skills, fitness, wellness and well-being. Any Optimist
Club can get involved with the assistance of the ice arena or curling
club or association in their area.
Project Contact: Al Kersey
328-19528 Fraser Hwy
Surrey, BC V3S 8P4
Canada
(604) 533-2839
akersey@telus.net
Pacific Southwest and Pacific Southeast Districts
(20 Clubs)
Junior Blind Olympics
The Blind Olympics provided blind youth an opportunity to participate
in Olympic events, learn sportsmanship and build character. The planning
continues on a year-round basis with meetings held by the Optimist Blind
Youth Association, a foundation established to obtain funding and assist
with organizing. The association is responsible for travel arrangements
and housing of the out-of-town athletes. Workers were recruited for the
weekend activities, which included the meals, games set-up, supply ordering,
etc. Volunteer are found to be coaches and junior coaches. Throughout
the year, money is raised by selling pins, T-shirts, a sponsor-a-child
program and donation solicitation of the Optimist Clubs in the District.
The event provides fun for everyone and buils self-confidence in each
of the participants. It also helps the community achieve a better understanding
of what being blind is like, what the challenges are and how they can
be overcome.
Project Contact: Steve Duben
30535 Hasley Canyon Road
Castric, CA 91384
(661) 257-6867
Optimist Club of Herndon (16090) - Capital-Virginia
District
Youth Sports
The Herndon Club knew that their small community lacked the resources
to provide youth sports activities and they decided that they could fill
that void. Their goal was to provide a quality comprehensive program that
was accessible to all youth regardless of their financial status or physical
abilities. The Club provided softball, baseball, basketball (girls and
boys), football, fall softball, fall baseball and lacrosse. Before the
beginning of each season, notices that list the time, place and date for
registration are placed in the newspaper. Registration forms are placed
in various places youth and their families frequent and this year online
registration forms were available. Many teams are sponsored by local businesses
or individuals, which helps maintain the Club’s low registration
fee. The Club benefits from community recognition and association with
a worthwhile, successful program.
Project Contact: Seth Watari
829 Moffett Forge Road
Herndon, VA 20170
(703) 787-9280
wataris@msn.com
Breakfast Optimist Club of Las Cruces (19110) -
New Mexico/West Texas District
29th Annual North South All-Star Baseball Series
This event showcases the talents of the best high school baseball players
in the state. The Club coordinated ad sales and sold corporate sponsorships.
The flag ceremony, singing of the National Anthem, scorekeeping and field
preparation all has to be planned and executed. Staff had to be arranged
for the gates during the series. The Club worked with the New Mexico High
School Coaches Association to extend invitations to players and collect
assessments from coaches. A player recognition brunch with a keynote speaker
was planned. Trainers are selected for teams and umpires are hired. Surplus
funds are donated to a scholarship fund. This program brings statewide
recognition to the players and tourism revenue to the city.
Project Contact: Jack Barclay
P.O. Box 1002
Mesilla, NM 88046
(505) 524-2580
jbarclay@zianet.com
Optimist Club of Aurora (47005) - Central Ontario
District
Aurora Tri-Star Skills Competition and Minor Hockey Showcase
This competition and showcase provided the opportunity for 1,100 boys
and girls playing house league hockey to participate in a Tri-Star Skills
competition in conjunction with a tournament for local house league players.
The Club established specific team Tri-Star Skills tests for each age
division and incorporated the competition into the tournament schedule.
Tri-Star Skill points counted toward the team standings for each division
and had a direct bearing on which two teams played in the championship
game of each division. Trophies and gold and silver medals were awarded
to the championship and runner-up teams in each age division. An NHL old-timers
game provided entertainment between periods and the entrance fee of food
provided much-needed items for the local food bank.
Project Contact: Alex Ansell
2 Timbertrail Crescent
Aurora, ON L4G 4V1 Canada
(905) 727-5012
ansellas@interlog.com
Hagerstown Optimist Club (04255) - Indiana North
District
HOOPS Basketball Program
The HOOPS program included children in grades 1 to 4 and taught them basketball
fundamentals such as dribbling, passing, free throws, shooting and layups.
There was also plenty of opportunity for fun! Flyers were distributed
around town, notices and applications were passed out in the local school
and stories were run in the newspaper. The Club approached local businesses
to act as sponsors for the teams, so participants did not have to pay
for anything. Individuals donated funds to cover the cost of gym time
for practices. Club Members and volunteer parents filled the coaching
jobs and other positions. No win or loss records were kept. Each participant
was given a brand-new basketball for Christmas.
Project Contact: Everett Hampton Jr.
6086 Tidewater Road
Hagerstown, IN 47346
(765) 489-5328
seheh@aol.com
Optimist Club of Carrollton (21076) - Georgia District
Optimist "Mini-Golf for the Kids"
Carrollton Optimists built a three-hole Mini-Golf Course to be used at
their city’s Mayfest Celebration. Members designed the course, purchased
materials, then built and painted the holes and course obstacles. This
project was conducted to achieve three goals: provide youngsters with
entertainment at the city’s event, make the Club more visible in
the community and establish an Optimist Club-golf connection to promote
the Club’s 2006 First Annual Golf Tournament. Hundreds of youth
and many parents enjoyed the fun of playing mini-golf and received free
T-shirts promoting Optimism, the Carrollton Optimist Club, Mini-Golf and
the Annual Golf Tournament. Parents received Optimist brochures, Club
brochures and personal invitations to become Members. The Club has received
requests for the course to be run at other community events.
Project Contact: Dr. Richard Folk
218 Hidden Lakes Drive
Carrollton, GA 30116
(770) 214-9341
folkra@bellsouth.net
Optimist Club of Radcliff (03295) – Kentucky-West
Virginia
Fish Fry/Fishing Derby
The Optimist Club of Radcliff provided a safe and fun environment for
children and their parents to fish and eat. There was no age limit set
for the children, but they were the only ones allowed to fish without
being required to have a fishing license. Parents with a license were
welcome to fish. The event was listed in the community news section of
the local newspaper and flyers were handed out to the schools in the area.
The location was sponsored free of charge by the Saunders Spring Nature
Preserve. Volunteers helped the children with their fishing and putting
worms on their hooks. The Club provided hot dogs, fried fish, chips, cookies
and drinks for everyone. Door prizes were raffled off. This was also a
great opportunity for Members to discuss the Club and the programs they
sponsor.
Project Contact: Denise Haynes
884 Rhonda Ct.
Radcliff, KY 40160
(270) 351-1755
dhaynes@radcliff.org
Optimist Club of Rolla (30370) - East Missouri District
Rolla Youth Soccer
The goal of this program was to provide a recreational and fun way to
keep the children of Phelps County active. All children ages 5-7 were
eligible to play free of charge. Handouts promoting the activity were
given to children in grades K through 3 in local elementary schools and
public service announcements regarding signups were given to the local
newspaper, radio and television stations. Program donations were accepted
on each sign-up day. Non-Members served as coaches and many showed an
interest in joining the Club after participating. The participants learned
the game of soccer, teamwork and the value of developing new friendships.
Each participant was given a free Optimist T-shirt.
Project Contact: Melissa Hoffman
13350 State Rt. CC
Rolla, MO 65401
(573) 465-1164
Melissa.hoffman.10tq@statefarm.com
Other Club Activities
Childhood
Cancer
Citizenship
Community
Improvement
Culture
and Education
Health
and Welfare
Joint
Projects with a JOOI Club or Youth Organization
Safety
Youth
Appreciation
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