Optimist Club recognizes school principal with Friend of Youth Award

Every year the Optimist Club of Westfield, New Jersey honors someone who has given exemplary service to youth with the Friend of Youth Award. This year's honoree is Ms. Claudia Andreski, Principal, McKinley School.

Ms. Andreski was recognized as being a "remarkable role model" and someone "who has gone to great lengths to instill a lifelong love of learning and the importance of compassion and kindness to thousands of Westfield children."

She was awarded a plaque and a $250 donation was made to the McKinley School Fund in her name.

Recognizing teachers and school administrators is a great way to build relationships between Optimist Clubs and school districts so they will encourage their students to participate in Optimist International programs. Plus it brings attention to the people who spend so much time with our children in a positive, optimistic way.

Group formed to meet unique community needs

You definitely get more done when you are able to work together with others.  That's what the service clubs in Jackson, New Jersey learned.  In an effort spearheaded by the Jackson Optimist Club, service clubs came together to help a local veteran obtain a service dog.

The 26-year old disabled veteran was put on a waiting list with Veterans Services and told that it might be ten years before he received a service dog trained to especially assist those with post traumatic stress disorder.  Friends, neighbors and community members believed that was too long so the idea of an umbrella group that could help coordinate community needs was hatched and the Jackson 501 Association was formed.

The charter members of the 501 Association are the Jackson Kiwanis, the Rotary Club, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, St. Vladimir’s Church, the Jackson Women of Today, the Optimist Club, the Central Jersey Italian American Club, the Fossils Car Club and the Jackson Alumni Hall of Fame.


In addition to working together on special projects, the Jackson 501 Association has launched a service club portal that explains each organization's mission and provides an application and contact information to help interested volunteers get involved.  Please visit www.jackson501association.org to learn more.  

Optimist Club raises money for ailing officer

Optimist Clubs are known for teaching respect for law so finding that the Optimist Club of Hillsborough, New Jersey was partnering with area businesses to raise funds for an officer in need was not surprising. Sharing compassion is just a side benefit of any Optimist Club experience.

Beginning Aug. 24, a week-long fundraiser will benefit David Wilson who has been battling leukemia since November 2008. Participating businesses have pledged to donate a percentage of their sales revenue on a given day to go to the Wilson 10-33 Foundation. Seventy thousand dollars has been raised by the group so far to aid in chemotherapy treatment and financial support for Officer Wilson.

The 10-33 Foundation represents the police code for an officer needs assistance. The Optimist club and business owners are part of the community-wide relief efforts that have included a motorcycle ride, blood drive, and picnics on Officer Wilson's behalf. What a caring community!

Secondary teachers honored by Optimist Club

How awesome is this? Yesterday I said let's create an appreciation award for educators and holy smokes, I found out somebody has beat us to it! The Optimist Club of Westfield, New Jersey recognizes teachers every year. They specifically focus on intermediate school teachers. Here's the excerpt from the Westfield Patch.com:

Congratulations to Marc Biunno, a Language Arts and Journalism teacher at Roosevelt School, on being named one of the Westfield Optimist Club's Intermediate Teachers of the Year. Each year the club singles out a teacher from each middle school.Biunno was honored by the club and the Board of Education also noted his distinction by presenting him with a resolution at the recent WHS Annual Awards Night. He received additional recognition that night when Liz Griesmer, an 8th grader who is one of Biunno's Journalism students, read a speech she composed in honor of her teacher.

Congratulations to Mr. Biunno and colleagues and the Westfield Optimist Club for setting a positive example.

All honorees are shown in the picture above: Westfield BOE President Ginny Leiz (left) presented resolutions to: WHS teachers l-r: Louis De Angelo, Mabel Huynh, and Judith McLoughlin and EIS teacher Marnie Kirschenbaum and RIS teacher Marc Biunno.

Optimist Buddies receive proclamation in Jackson, NJ

The City of Jackson, New Jersey and Mayor Mike Reina praised the Optimist Buddies at a recent Jackson Township Council meeting. He recognized the group, made up of forty students, for service to their community, especially for the effort of kids helping kids.

The Optimist Buddy program is coordinated by the Optimist Club of Jackson. They help the students find and perform work with Community Alliance programs, enabling children with special needs to participate in sports activities and other pursuits.

Mayor Reina congratulated the group and commented, "You can't feel anything but proud of these students. It's just another fine example of how Jackson comes together as a community."

Taste of Howell benefits Optimist Club

Fund raising is a big part of any nonprofit organization and with so many great causes to support it can be a difficult choice for the donor. That is why a fresh, new idea that entertains them is a great idea. Here's a new one on me: A Taste of Howell. If you are imagining food booths and concession stands, think again.

The Optimist Club and Fire Department of Howell, New Jersey were the direct beneficiary of this fund raising effort that brought together local food establishments, wine distributors and tobacco suppliers for an adults-only evening of epicurean entertainment. No one under 21 was admitted to this one-of-a-kind evening that provided food, wine, cigars and sweets, and music along with giveaways and a mini-silent auction.

Admission: $35. Impact: Priceless.