Students set a fast pace for service

A friend of mine who hails from Nebraska updates his Facebook status regularly, sometimes several times a day. A great majority of his posts are about his activities with Optimist Clubs. He is especially active with Junior Optimist Octagon International (JOOI) and it's always wonderful to hear about the positive programs in which our students are involved.

Over the past year, students in the JOOI Clubs he works with have:

• Won a grant for "Don't Drive Intexticated" and led an awareness program against texting while driving. 
• Visited a skilled nursing facility to play bingo with the residents for 108 consecutive months (9 years)
• Participated in Jumpstart's Read for the Record/Read Aloud Nebraska
• Helped craft a media campaign against underage drinking with the public health department
• Collected a record 81 pints at the Holiday Blood Drive
• Participated in Operation Christmas Tree for the 17th year providing trees to needy families
• Hosted World Kindness Week at Norfolk Jr. High
• Collected non-perishable items for the food pantry and clothing for the Salvation Army
• Manned the concession stands for the Early Bird Tip-off Classic and other sporting events
• Held an Improv Retreat
• Participated in numerous Internet Safety programs
• Participated in National Night Out
• Hosted the JOOI of Reading at elementary schools
• Hosted Souper Bowl of Caring
• And so much more...

Some service clubs struggle to do a project a month, but the energy and creativity of students can keep us active sometimes on a weekly basis.  Finding an adult mentor and chaperon to keep up with their projects can be a daunting task and truly a labor of love.

Many thanks to my friend, Mark Clausson, Immediated Past Governor, for the great service he provides to the Optimist Clubs, JOOI Clubs, and especially the students in the Nebraska District - Optimist International.