Bounce Fever in London, Kentucky

I often see Optimist Club projects that I want to "do at home." In other words, I want to take the idea to my Optimist Club and ask for volunteer members to be as excited about it as me. When we're all excited about something, we make it happen.

Of course, often times when I see a project, especially around the holidays - take the Oswego Optimist Club Pumpkin Races for example, we have to wait a whole year to make it happen. However, the project that I am highlighting today, playfully called Bounce Fever, can be done at any time of year. But putting it on when its cold outside, well that just makes it more fun. Kids love bounce houses and what could be better than a whole gymnasium full of them with unlimited access for a full day? 

Thanks to the London Laurel Optimist Club in Kentucky for the inspiration. I see Bounce Fever coming to a gym in Idaho very soon.

Princeton service clubs build their community with laughter

In Princeton, Kentucky, the community came out to help build a place for kids to be kids, but that doesn't mean the Princeton Playground Project is over. Far from it. The Project is still underway and with the continued support of the Princeton Rotary and Optimist Clubs, they will be able to help maintain the playground in the years to come.

The story here is two-fold. First, service clubs working together to make their community a better place to live is always a good thing. This time, they are doing so and paying homage to a Princeton native who has gone onto a successful second career as a stand-up comedian. The Rotary and Optimist Clubs have invited 65-year-old Gid Poole to return to Princeton to share his new-found comedy genius with his hometown in a private event that will serve as a fundraiser for the Princeton Playground Project. Now that's community! 

Building, sharing and celebrating the accomplishments of the community and its residents is the spirit of service. 

Click to read about Gid Poole's new career in the Princeton Leader online. 

If you live in the Princeton area, save the date - February 19, 7:00 p.m., Fine Arts Theatre at Caldwell High School for a double bill of fun and funny: Gid Poole and Mike Armstrong. 

Optimist Club members contribute to the community's success

About one year ago I promised myself that I would post something new every day to this blog about how Optimist Clubs make a difference around the world. I discovered that when you post as frequently as I do about the same subject, you find lot of similar activities being conducted by different Optimist Clubs, many at the same time. I get excited when see a project that I wrote about last year return again this year even stronger and better.

Two of those activities are community events that wouldn't happen without the efforts of Optimist Club members are taking place this month:

• The Lebanon Blues Festival, sponsored by the Optimist Club of Lebanon, Ohio - not only did they return, they added more bands, sponsors, a 5k, 15k and fun run, a car show, and a brand new website. Start making your plans for next year. If you are into blues, I think you should add this to your to-do list. 
• The Black Patch Festival, sponsored by the Optimist Club of Princeton, Kentucky - with a nod to other service organizations, they reached out to make sure all were included and that no projects usurped another so that everyone had an equal opportunity to be recognized, raise awareness and support.  

It's so important when you carry out activities year after year to include others in your planning and production cycle. New members are important to any Optimist Club, but even more vital when your whole community is truly depending on you to represent the community as a whole.

Major projects such as these will attract new members, new people who want to be involved. Your responsibility is to engage those new volunteers in meaningful, purposeful ways.  Help the new Optimist Club volunteer connect with others so that they feel a part of the team.

When you reach out to new volunteers, you build leaders for the future of your club and the continuity of your project. Make it possible and fun for everyone to be a part of the action.

Optimist Club plans Horse Camp

The Princeton, Kentucky Optimist Club, in conjunction with the Caldwell County Animal Rescue and Kentucky Farm Bureau are planning a Horse Camp for beginning riders. Scheduled for the week of May 24, this camp is so popular that a lottery drawing is held to determine the 48 participants.  A registration fee of $30 is donated to the animal rescue and is due May 8. The children selected to participate will be notified that day.

During the week, beginning riders will learn the basics of horse-handling and care and riding skills.  The camp is hands-on and lecture and ends with a riding show and rodeo.  Local horse people and the instructors are expected to take part in the demonstration and rodeo.

No experience with horses is needed.  Selected participants are asked to wear jeans and boots and are given t-shirts and cowboy hats.

Optimist Club volunteers and others assist with the camp.  According to the animal control officer Abigail Tucker, the organizers are just trying to find different things for kids to do in the community.  With Kentucky being horse country, it seems like a perfect project to me. 

Fun run takes kids through Blackacre Nature Preserve

Fun Run!  More and more Optimist Clubs are taking a look at healthy activities for kids. A fun run is just the ticket.  

Over the past weekend, the Optimist Club of Jeffersontown, Kentucky hosted a  Free Run for Fun at Blackacre Nature Preserve for students kindergarten through eighth grades.  Parents were allowed to accompany their children.  Awards were given to the top finishers in all age groups for the 1-mile race.

Why not consider adding a healthy lifestyle activity to your club's youth projects. It's a great way to fight childhood obesity and enjoy some fresh air.  

Radio station provides plenty of public service announcements

Some communities are fortunate to have a very engaged media.  In Princeton, Kentucky, radio station WAVJ Lite Rock 104.9  provides service to their listeners by hosting online events for community service and fundraising purposes.  During the first first week of May the Optimist Club of Princeton will be the direct beneficiary of their outreach when they host an online auction for the club and some of its youth-serving programs.

Even more exciting is all of the public service announcements that the club is receiving up to the event.  On-air personalities have been talking up the auction and the Optimist Club since Monday.  Audio files of their banter can be found online at http://literock1049.com.

Good luck in your efforts, Princeton Optimist Club and thank you WAVJ 104.9.

Young leaders emerge

The Optimist Club of Radcliff, Kentucky is helping develop leaders with their Youth Appreciation Week activity.  Five students from North Hardin High School visited Radcliff City Hall, Fire Department and Police Department and learned more about how the city administration functions by rubbing elbows with the mayor and having lunch at the fire station.

Smiling for the camera are Mayor Sheila Enyart, Tamisha Brooks, Christina Maguire, Marteze Patton, Sterling Lewis and Alan Fortier.  The photo is courtesy of the Radcliff Optimist Club. 

Optimist Club honors Caldwell County heritage

Every year since 1937, Caldwell County, Kentucky has honored the tobacco farming heritage of the community with the Black Patch Parade and Fair.  Although the tobacco aspect has lessened over the years, the legacy that the cash crop left on the community has not. That's why the Princeton Optimist's selection of Parade Grand Marshall for 2009 is significant.

The Optimist Club chose Glenn Martin, "a valuable asset to the community in the form of his history and information on Caldwell County."  Mr. Martin has been the county historian since 2005 and spent all but two of his eighty-two years in Princeton.  He resides on the land of his family's original homestead, he can recall mud roads and farming, and following a two-year stint in the army found his lifelong career in the railroad in his hometown.

His colorful life includes encounters with hobos during the Great Depression and the growth of Caldwell County, a full-time avocation that he celebrates by documenting and sharing its history. 

Optimist Clubs share rich legacies in their communities, with members who personify history, growth and change.  Recognizing their stories is just one way that Optimist Clubs make a difference with adults as well as children.  Congratulations Mr. Martin and the Optimist Club of Caldwell County. Thank you for sharing your stories.

Quick and easy Optimist Club project

Ready, set, swim!

The Optimist Club of Princeton, Kentucky hosted a free back-to-school bash at the City-County Pool for all school aged youth from kindergarten to 12th grade in Caldwell County on August 5.

An Optimist Club spokesperson commented that sometimes the simple projects meet the needs of the community the best. The free swim party was a great way for children to beat the heat and renew old friendships as the summer winds down and thoughts return to the classroom. The club struck a deal for admission and helped get the word out throughout the community. The kids did the rest, including paying for their own refreshments at the concession stand.

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.