Program for:
July 8 - Mark Scoular - Executive Director of Camp Carson
|
Program for: July 8 - Mark Scoular - Executive Director of Camp Carson |
|
8th Annual Golf Scramble Registration and Sponsor Form IN South District April 2009 Newsletter Contact
Us
|
Life Member, J Henry Ballman, Makes the News, Again! Read his story about his being mistaken for John Dillinger in the 1930's. Click here to go to the Courier and Press story in the Monday, June 29, 2009 edition.
Golfers waiting to start at the Junior Golf Tournament, Wednesday, June 3, 2009 (More photos on our photo page)
One of the kids we sponsored for the Respect for Law Camp at USI - he puts on a "bomb suit" June 4 - 6, 2009
John Schuck and Don Julian at Memorial Park Cemetery at the grave of Bill Parrish. They were placing American Flags and Downtown Optimist Club Indentification cards on the graves of members, Saturday, May 23, 2009. See more photos on our "Photos" page.
Mrs. Karen Morris, representing the Junior League of Women and
President of the Downtown Optimist Club, came to Holy
Name School and read to the second grade students. "The
Littlest Volunteers" is a story about Annie the ant who becomes interested
in helping others after a volunteer ladybug comes to her school classroom
to discuss community and volunteerism. Mrs. Morris presented the
second grade teachers and the librarian a copy of the book for the
classroom and library. Pictured is Mrs. Karen Morris reading the
book while second grader Olivia Church showed the illustrations to the
class. _________________________________________________________ Courier and Press Editor Mizell Stewart III's article discusses Optimism and the Optimist Creed in the Sunday, April 5, 2009 newspaper. Click here to read the article _________________________________________________________ Our Club mourns the loss of one of members, Eric Alan Thornton who passed away on March 25, 2009 at the age of 51. See our "In Memory" page for more information about Eric with comments from members. A memorial service is planned for June 12th. __________________________________________________________________
Members of our JOOI Club, February 27, 2009, from Joshua Academy before going to Biaggi's Restaurant for dinner - more photos on our "Photos" page
2009 Girl's Oratorical Contest winner, February 18, 2009 - Whitney Caplinger from Washington Middle School. The topic this year was: For Me, Optimism is....! Whitney competed at the Regional Contest.
Kids compete January 17, 2009 at our Tri-Star Basketball - Pass, Dribble, Shoot Contest at the Boy's and Girl's Club. The Westside Club was a co-sponsor with our club.
Winners of our Tri-Star Soccer Competition - September 20, 2008 - received their trophies at the USI Soccer Game, October 17, 2008.
Here's a message from our new President, Karen
Morris.
New club president, Karen Morris, holds a coffee mug presented to her by Lt. Governor, Betty Strickland, at our Changing of the Guard ceremonies, Tuesday, September 23, 2008.
Parents register their children
during our Tri-Star Soccer competition, Saturday, September 20, 2008
at Goebel Soccer Complex
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The Downtown Optimist Club of Evansville Indiana , Inc., celebrated our 87th Anniversary on May 13, 2008. We are now in our 88th year and still going and growing strong. March 27, 2008 - We conducted a NOW Meeting - New Optimist Wanted - to explain what our club and being a member of an Optimist Club is all about. Over 15 potential members attended with 5 commiting to join. We have sponsored several clubs throughout our 87 year history including the Evansville Westside and Eastside Clubs and a club in Santa Claus, Indiana. Our club was Chartered on Friday, May 13, 1921 and was the second club chartered in Indiana and the 15th in the world. There were eighty-six charter members. Our club is a member of Optimist International, a worldwide organization, whose purpose is to serve the youth in our communitys. Currently, we have approximately 50 members. We are members of the Indiana South District which is associated with Optimist International. Jerry Schue,our Governor for 2007 - 2008, has chosen as his theme this year "I Believe in You". What differentiates Optimist Clubs from any other volunteer opportunity is simple -- OPTIMISM. Optimists take their upbeat approach and work every day to make a difference for themselves and for the people around them. Optimists are people who believe that through positive action in their communities they can create a better tomorrow.
Our Mission Statement: By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in kids. Our Vision Statement: Optimist International will be recognized worldwide as the premier volunteer organization that values all children and helps them develop to their full potential. Club History: Dr. Charles Hartloff, the first president of our club, was born on Friday the 13th, and he felt that the 13th was the most wonderful day in the monthly calendar, and when it falls on a Friday, it only adds to the real value of the day. Bish Thompson, a former member of our club, was an International Vice President. He was a longtime member of the club and a writer for the Evansville Press." He wrote a daily article for the paper and hosted a five-minute radio show. Bish wrote a book, "Of Dreams and Deeds",which is required reading for Optimist member participating in the "Personal Growth and Involvement"(PGI) program. Each year, our club presents the Bish Thompson Memorial Award to honor one person from the community who has excelled in helping children. Their name is placed on a plaque for all to see at the Evansville Library, Downtown. They also receive an individual plaque and a check for $250 to a charity of their choice. In addition to honoring these individuals, we hope to encourage others, outside the Optimist Club, to help children. When Camp Carson was built in Princeton, Indiana, the Downtown Optimist Club supported them with money to help with the buildings. Over the years, we have supported the Camp with gifts of furniture, boats, and money. Each year, we have a meeting at the Camp to be with the kids who we help sponsor and are unable to pay the Camps tuition. Go here to read more club history Go here to read our 16 page 85th Anniversary Booklet from 1981. (Contact webmaster -mailto:ron.eberhart@wowway.com) |
