Blues, Barbecue and Optimism

I could have chosen a picture of a musician or some fine looking barbecue, but I chose this picture to depict the Blues Festival organized by the Optimist Club in Lebanon, Ohio because it is what a festival is all about: community. Any time you can bring your community together to celebrate music, arts, or just living life to the fullest, it is a wonderful thing.

The Optimist Club of Lebanon is often asked, why host a blues festival? The organizers are quick to reply, "It brings so many aspects of Lebanon together. People who like barbecue and blues bring a great atmosphere.”

In addition to music and food, the event also offers a 5K Run, a Classic Car Show and evening events for children. But the centerpiece is the music and the good news is the music is free. It's no wonder they drew 15,000 attendees last year and are expecting at least that many again this year.

Don't miss it - August 1, 11 am to 11 pm, Broadway and Mulberry Streets, Lebanon, Ohio.

Check out the 2008 Photo Gallery from the Dayton Daily News.

New Optimist Club meets at Grumpy's

Life is about the small things that make you smile. When I discovered that the brand new Optimist Club of Marana, Arizona was meeting at a place called Grumpy's; well, I just had to smile. I also had to share that little tidbit with you.

Marana lies northwest of Tucson. The new club joins sixteen other Optimist Clubs in the Tucson area in fulfilling the mission of bringing out the best in children. Although the clubs are made up of many business owners, the organizers emphasized that this is not a business networking group. The mix is a good cross section of employers, employees and residents. Mayor Ed Honea and Councilwoman Patti Comerford are members of the new club.

Newly elected club president John Coppin shared his vision, "We want to make sure every child doesn't ever have to worry about feeling alone in this world."

Congratulations on organizing. We wish you much success as you provide friendships, smiles and service to your community.

The Marana Optimist Club meets at 7 a.m. the second Wednesday and at 8 a.m. the fourth Saturday of each month at Grumpy's Jr. Bar & Grill, 8235 N. Silverbell Road.

Optimist Club collects Tools for School

Already? That's what I thought when I saw that the Optimist Club of Fort Payne, Alabama was already preparing to send students back to school with the annual Tools for School supply drive. But it is that time of year and with school beginning in only one month, the Optimists are looking for school supplies or any other things that a student might need.

Each year, more than forty students are helped directly through the Childcare Resource Network. With a nod to the unemployment rate, club president Brian Baine explained that this year they also plan to have supplies available at the Fort Payne Career Center for parents who may have recently lost their job.

The drive officially kicks off on July 23 and runs through August 10. Supplies may be dropped off in DeKalb County at Wal-Mart, Foodland, the Career Center, Fort Payne Chamber of Commerce and Timesaver on DeSoto Parkway.

School supply drives are an easy and meaningful project for any Optimist Club to perform. If you are not sure where or how to donate, contact a school or school district in your local community and offer to adopt a class or spearhead a program. They will give you tips on what's needed, where it's needed, and how to be successful.

Imagine the energy of a college Optimist Club

The University of California, Santa Barbara proudly hosts an Optimist Club. It's made up of students, alumni, faculty and staff. What I find most interesting about this club and what I hope to share with you today is a glimpse into their energy.

First, take a look at the banner. It is simple and vibrant with bright yellow and red colors. The block letters declare that the focus is on being an Optimist and the fresh, young happy face lets you know the club is about kids. The @ UCSB reminds us that the members are probably young and have grown up in a technology driven world.

For the next look, you have to visit the members section of their website. Go ahead - click it - it's worth it! Have you ever seen a president more excited about leading her cause? While you are there, click on the other members photos and find out more about them. For this generation, transparency is the new black.

Finally, while you are still on their website, take a look at what they are about, what they have accomplished and who they partner with to carry out their mission.

Optimist Clubs began forming on college campuses a little over ten years ago. With this much energy to share, I am sure happy that they are a part of the extended Optimist family.

It's worth the look: Ankenny Optimist 5K Walk/Run

Yes, a picture is worth a thousand words. That means this twenty-picture photo gallery must be worth 20,000 words. Please click on the link to take you to the Des Moines Register Online where I promise you will enjoy the Ankenny Optimist Club 5k 1 Mile Walk/Run. This is the fourth year for the event. Young, old, male, female, able-bodied and those in wheelchairs enjoyed the day. Ankenny Optimist Club photo gallery.

Calling all youth-serving organizations in Tigard, Oregon

Fundraising! Every club does it, but some clubs help others with their fundraising efforts as well. The Optimist Club of Tigard, Oregon is one of those kind of clubs. Every year, they invite other community serving causes to join in the Annual Florence Yoder Friend of Youth Memorial Walkathon. The Optimist Club provides the venue and administration for the event. Everyone provides the enthusiasm, energy and sponsors to their unique causes.

According to event coordinator Carla Mito, the Tigard High School Snowboarders, Equestrians and the Cross Country Team have committed to participate. Mito hopes other youth organizations will take advantage of the opportunity. The event runs from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday, Aug. 1. Want to know how it's done? Contact Mito at carla.mito [at] gmail.com.

PDF version of original article from Oregonlive.com.

The Sanibel~Captiva Optimist Club’s 30th Annual 4th of July Road Rally

I've seen show and shines, poker runs and road rallies before, but something about the Sanibel-Captiva Optimist Club's activity just hit my fancy. It might be the location - Florida - with the beach colors in the background. But more likely, it was the happy road racers in the red convertible. You can tell they are having fun being part of their Optimist Club. Optimist Club members perform a lot of projects that make their communities a better place to live. Enjoying themselves is a pleasant and appreciated bonus. Please click on the link for a full description of the event.

The Sanibel~Captiva Optimist Club’s 30th Annual 4th of July Road Rally

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Optimist Club of Hagerstown, IN says Happy Sweet Sixteen

What would you think if a big bunch of Optimists turned out for your birthday? That is just what happened in Richmond, Indiana when the Optimist Club of Hagerstown surprised Whitney Jennings for her 16th birthday celebration. They brought a special gift: a handicap accessible van to help Whitney go more places.

Whitney has had health complications since very early in her life when she was diagnosed with diabetes. In 2007 she suffered a stroke in her spinal column during a multipurpose surgery. The spinal cord injury left her paralyzed and requires her to use different medical devices daily. The community has stepped in to help with upgrading the electricity in her family's home and expanding her bedroom to accommodate the equipment. Friends from the Boy's and Girl's Club frequently visits her, but the van will help her visit others.

It's a special community that works together to make a young woman feel included. Read the full story here.

Frankfort Optimist Club takes part in Longest Day of Play

For three years Franklin County, Kentucky has celebrated the longest day of the year as the Longest Day of Play. Sounds like a perfect event for kids, but it is meant for kids of all ages. According to the Franklin County Health Department, Kentucky ranks fifth in the nation for heart related mortality, sixth in the nation for diabetes related mortality, and second in the nation for inactivity.

The event at Lakeview Park in Frankfort, KY is designed to get people moving. Different groups and organizations man activity stations and help children and adults play. The Optimist Club of Frankort was in charge of the scooter obstacle course. What fun! And as the famous athletic shoe maker says, just do it! Get active now.

Optimist Club helps Battle Creek celebrate 150 years

Battle Creek, MI - the cereal city, home to Kellogg Company and their famous breakfast cereals celebrated Fun Before Breakfast last week with the help of the Optimist Club of Battle Creek.

The event kicked off with a parade with the noisy Snap, Crackle and Pop threesome. Clowns, Shriners, motorcycles and classic cars traveled down Michigan Avenue for this family event. The big attraction though happened as promoted - before breakfast - when the community laid out the world's longest breakfast table and everyone enjoyed a meal together from 8:00 to 10:00 am on Saturday, June 14, 2009. The fun continued into the afternoon when other cereal celebrities made an appearance. This was the 150th celebration of the city of Battle Creek.

Photo courtesy of The Battle Creek Enquirer.

Optimist Club raises awareness for their amazing programs

Optimist Clubs really do amazing things in all communities that they touch. They build playgrounds, hold relay races, sponsor scholarship programs, take kids to the movies, buy them lunch and many other big and small projects.

The main thing that every Optimist Club does is provide services needed most in their hometown. Our mission is to help Optimist Clubs promote their good deeds. We look for special programs and spotlight them on our blog. It is especially rewarding when we find Optimist Clubs making a concerted effort to promote themselves.

Kudos to the Optimist Club of Meridian, Idaho for telling their story to all who will listen. They will be walking the streets, talking to businesses and inviting Meridian residents and business owners to learn more by visiting a club meeting. According to the club spokesperson, communication creates transparency and awareness. They would love to add members from the effort, but most of all they want people to know that the Optimist Club is there when you need them.

Optimist Club of Shelby, NC contributes $40,000 for universally accessible playground

Here is a big project that required using a lot of savings, but according to the Optimist Club of Shelby, NC, it was worth it. In conjunction with the Shelby Parks and Recreation Department, the Club has supported the Optimist Park which includes a ball field, recreation space, playground and picnic area.

Over the years, the equipment became worn and deteriorated so this year the ten-member Optimist Club decided it was time for renovations - $40,000 worth of playground equipment that is safer and more accessible for children of all abilities.

According to Optimist Club President Roger Wuest, the community could make a lot of improvements if other groups would dedicate themselves to similar projects. The Optimist Club performs annual fund raising activities and saves a little each year for a really big project like this, but it also required the club to dip into their savings. That savings is made up of kind donations given in remembrance over the years for and by past Optimist Club members.

With a 56-year heritage, the Optimist Club is seeking new members. They welcome the community to join them at the community barbecue held on the first Thursday of every month during the summer, 6:00 pm, Optimist Park where they can learn more and sample the park for themselves.

Optimist Clubs are always on the lookout for new members

In order to provide uninterrupted service in our communities, Optimist Clubs must replenish themselves. So while there are no bright young people that directly benefit from this activity, every child indirectly benefits when an Optimist Club holds a membership drive.

The Optimist Club of Steamboat Springs, CO recently had a nice article published about their membership drive. According to Rob McCarthy, a twenty year veteran member, he joined because his kids, now 21 and 25, enjoyed the club's activities. Ron Wendler has eight years of membership to his credit. He says that it is all about the kids and in order to keep their activities going, they need adults to ensure it happens.

Not every Optimist Club advertises that they are welcoming new members. I think that is such a mistake; it's almost like they forget to say they are open for business. But don't be afraid to seek out the Optimist Club in your town. I promise, they will welcome you with open arms.

Find a club near you with this directory.

More than sixty students participate in Optimist Oratorical Contest in Pensacola

The Optimist International Oratorical Contest has been challenging students for seventy-eight years, but this is absolutely the largest, youngest, and most optimistic group of orators that I have ever seen. More than sixty youngsters in grades 3, 4, and 5 from the Pensacola Beach
Elementary School were delighted to share their versions of "What Optimism means to me..."

The finalists were:

Third Grade: Macy Mateer, Abby Jacobs and Zosia Uszok
Fourth Grade: Starfish Holk, Reddon McLaurine and Kylie Finkbone
Fifth Grade: Lia Lampone, Lexi McNamara and Trey Wright.

Winning the competion were:

First Place: Macy Mateer,
Second Place: Abby Jacobs, and
Third Place: Kylie Finkbone.

All participants participated in a celebration following the event. Congratulations to the Optimist Club of Pensacola Beach, FL for a very successful Optimist Oratorical Contest. See the article in the Gulf Breeze News.

Three hundred young artists participate in Optimist Art Expo

More than 700 pieces of art designed by more than three hundred students made up the immense body of work at the Allegheny Valley Optimist Club's "Cultural Arts Expo 2009" on April 27.

This is the fourth year that the club has coordinated the event. According to Optimist Club member Rege Fleck it is a great way to teach, recognize and inspire children. The exposure and experience of displaying their artwork in a professionally designed setting gives them an appreciation they don't receive from earning a grade. It helps them learn the business, share their passion and accept praise.



In addition to helping children from preschool age through high school showcase their creativity, the Allegheny Valley Optimist Club of Tarentum, PA also awarded a $500 scholarship to Springdale senior graphics artist Tyler Tomasino. Tyler was recognized for his service to others, helping them create posters and advertisements for their clubs and projects. He also helped design a poster for this show.

Read more about it online at Pittsburgh Live or see a pdf version of the original story here.

Fishing for Families with the Sunrise Optimist Club of Columbia, MO

The Sunrise Optimist Club of Columbia, MO has a close relationship with the Coyote Hills Children's Home. The latest activity was new program for this year: Fishing for Families. The kids and Optimists shared a day of fun with all of the catch going to the Central Missouri Food Bank.

The Coyote Hills Children's Home is a recipient of the food bank, but according to Optimist sponsors and mentors, the activity let them learn that all could contribute by reaching out a hand to help someone.

Food Bank Director Peggy Kirkpatrick said this was a unique project. No group has ever "caught" their donation to the food bank.

I think you'll agree that the Columbia Tribune gave the project the right headline: "Catching Compassion." Read as a pdf file here.

Optimist Club of Paris, ON to build skateboard park

The Optimist Club of Paris, Ontario is celebrating its 6oth Anniversary this year. As one of their pet projects, they have decided to raise $360,000 for a skateboard park. According to members, it's a big amount of money to raise, but they can do it because they are Optimists.

They plan to partner with the County of Brant to secure the land and they are seeking a grant from the Trillium Foundation, but the major portion of the money will come from fund raising and in kind donations. Skateboards.com is sponsoring a skateboard event with money raised going to the park and young boarders have been raising money by taking the message to other local events.

It is a community effort driven by the "old time" Optimists. Now that's one way to stay young. Read the full article here.

Optimist Club of Mandeville, Jamaica reaches out with love

Some Optimist Clubs choose to perform really big projects and they garner newspaper articles and praise for the large contributions. I am always so excited when I see a small, meaningful project make headlines and that is the feeling I have about this project from the Optimist Club of Mandeville, Jamaica.

Members of the Optimist Club visited the Hanbury Home and provided a day of entertainment and caring. Hanbury Home is made up of 80 orphaned young people. The children thrived from the interaction provided by the Optimists which including reading stories, talking one-on-one with them and providing hugs. The House Mother said the visit provided positive relations for the children, but that the adults also helped her complete her tasks.

We often forget how lending our hands and hearts in such a simple way can make a difference in the lives of so many. Thank you to the Optimist of Mandeville. Keep reaching out to others.

Fishing Derby hosted by Optimist Club of Bixby, OK

As we head into summer, what could be a better activity than fishing? You guessed it! Teaching kids to fish. That was part of the fun at the 34th Annual Optimist Fishing Derby hosted by the Optimist Club of Bixby, OK.

Bixby area personalities Dick Faurot of Channel 6 and Keith and Cody Hays of KWHB-46 were on hand to offer fishing advice and film footage that will be aired on an upcoming edition of The Future of Fishing.

According to the Optimists, 78 children from ages 2 to 15 participated in the derby. The largest fish was a black bass caught by young Easton Abel. It weighed in at 1 pound, 13 ounces. All participants received T-shirts and all the hot dogs they could eat from the Optimist Club. Zebco provided prizes for all winning anglers.

What great summer fun! See the article online at the Bixby Bulletin. Or on Scribd: Bixby Fishing Derby. Photo courtesy of Anthony Jumper.

Junior Optimist Club pays it forward in Farmington Hills, MI

“A small group of people coming together can make a big difference,” said Abhinav Reddy , a kindergarten student at the Highmeadow Elementary School in Farmington Hills, MI.

Idealistic thoughts for such a little person? Maybe so, but that is what being a part of a Junior Optimist Club is all about. The Highmeadow Elementary School recently added the Junior Optimist Club program to their list of extracurricular activities and just last week, the group completed their first community service project, a walkathon to benefit another youth serving organization: the Farmington Area Goodfellows.

Junior Optimist Clubs are student driven. With minor support from the sponsoring adult Optimist Club, the students develop, plan and execute their own projects. There are 18 students in the Highmeadow Elementary School Junior Optimist Club. For this program they recruited students from neighboring schools and enlisted parents as chaperones for the five mile hike. The Optimist Club of Farmington-Farmington Hills manned the snack stations around the course. It was a great activity, raising more than $2,000 in a pay-it-forward fashion, from one group to the next so that all can do more for others.

“I wanted to do something good. I wanted to make a difference,” said Nadia Morman-Williams, another kindergarten student. Well you did Nadia; you and your classmates all did so good! Thank you!

Read more in hometownlife.com or read the story here.