Shop with a Cop brings kids and cops together

The Fort Smallwood Optimist Club, Annapolis Optimist Club and Cherry Hill Optimist Club came together on December 5, 2014 to hold the 11th Annual Shop with a Cop program. The clubs paired police officers with 82 children and set them loose in Walmart to do some Christmas shopping.

The officers were there to provide moral support for the children's shopping spree. Afterwards, they had lunch at the Outback Steakhouse and tackled some Christmas wrapping for the presents they bought for others.

Shop with a Cop programs are popular because they give children an opportunity to interact with police officers in a positive manner, building trust and letting them know that police officers can be their friends.

As Optimist Clubs provide youth-serving projects for communities, they are a natural catalyst to bring the two groups together. They provide the administration and funding support to make the program successful.

Fort Smallwood Optimist Club
Shop with a Cop 2014

Photos courtesy of the Fort Smallwood Optimist Club. Check out the full collection on Facebook.

Positive Policing recognized in Santa Barbara

Optimist International's motto is "Friend of Youth." The motto is one of the most celebrated reasons for belonging to an Optimist Club, preceded only by the Optimist Creed and the fellowship of sharing community service with others.

Many Optimist Clubs form special bonds with the law enforcement officers of the community and partner with them on projects like bike safety events, anti-bullying presentations, and drug and alcohol prevention programs, among other things. Many take time to give special recognition during a Respect for Law Program that recognizes the police officers for their service.

The Optimist Club of Santa Barbara recently went above the service angle to recognize the officers in their community for "positive policing." According to club president Chuck Champlin,  Officers Jon Reyes and Kyle Lowry, and Sgt. Ed Olsen performed acts during 2013 that made them stand out among their peers for their positive actions. Read the full story here. 

Santa Barbara Optimist Club awards Positive Policing Award

As Optimist Clubs strive to share positive actions and attitudes with others, the recognition is a perfect way to share that vision with others. Congratulations to all.

Photo credit: Lara Cooper, Noozhawk

Respect for Law program designed by students in Fort Wayne

The Optimist Club of Fort Wayne, Indiana and the Fort Wayne Parks & Recreation Department collaborated on a Respect for Law Program. By surveying students involved with the Parks Department's Youth Centers, they created a youth-directed safety program designed with the specific intent of keeping people safe when they are in the parks or on there way to and from park activities.

The core of the campaign was to produce Respect for Law and Safety posters with a Top 10 List to be Safe to and from the Parks as follows:

1. Walk with others. (Use a buddy system)
2. Pay attention to surroundings.
3. Stay out of the street.
4. Don’t talk to strangers; don’t go into strangers’ houses; don’t go to strangers cars.
5. Call parents to let them know when leaving and arriving, go directly to the Recreational Center
6. Self Defense. (Scream or run.)
7. When you see trouble, go the other way, stay away from danger
8. If you see a gun or knife or any weapon while walking to the park tell a staff member.
9. Call the Police when help is needed.
10. Say no to Drugs, Gangs and Violence

Additionally, the Optimist Club has arranged for three forums where Fort Wayne law enforcement officers will make presentations and engage with the youth on a one-to-one basis. 

The Optimist International Respect for Law program was first designed to provide opportunities for children and law enforcement officers to meet in a non-threatening way and develop positive relationships. Over the years it has expanded to include officer recognition on a club and community level; but as with most Optimist Club programs, engaging our youth is always the most rewarding. Good job Fort Wayne! 

Virginia Beach Optimists take students to the legislature

Through its purposes, Optimist International encourages an interest in good government and civic affairs and inspires respect for the law.

Many Optimist Clubs host Respect for Law activities by honoring first responders. However, a few show their work with children through the Respect for Law program. The Optimist Club of Virginia Beach is one of the latter.

On February 14, 2013, the Virginia Beach Optimist Club took students from 11 schools to the Capitol for a General Assembly visit. Legislators, beware! Our students aren't afraid to demonstrate their positive attitudes with ideas that will make our world a better place to live.

Optimist Clubs show Respect for Law

One of the purposes of an Optimist Club is to inspire good citizenship and respect for law and in 1965 Optimist International established the Respect for Law program. According to a brochure from Optimist International, the intent wast to familiarize youth with the people in their community who work hard to make it a better place to live. "It is vital that youth recognize the contributions that law enforcement officers make to their community and that they realize these officials are there to assist them if needed."

Through the years, the program has become less about children and more about the officers. As a way of showing respect and appreciation for their service, many Optimist Clubs bestow Officer of the Year honors on deserving public servants. Some recent awards follow. 

Arkansas City Optimist Club

In Arkansas City, Kansas, Police Officer Troy Cochran was honored by the Optimist Club. 

"Officer Cochran exhibits an insatiable desire to work his cases to clearance,” said Arkansas City Police Chief Sean Wallace. “He prides himself on taking a case that appears unsolvable and working every angle until he finds a break. This trait alone enables Officer Cochran to stand out among his peers.”

Waukesha Optimist Club

In Waukesha, Wisconsin, the Optimist Club recognized Correctional Officer Erin Billeb for her work as a training officer in the Waukesha County Jail, especially for her role in assisting inmates who deal with mental illnesses and chemical dependencies. 

Sheriff Dan Trawicki explained, “Erin’s job is one that, as you can imagine, is extremely difficult. We are very lucky to have Erin in this position.”

Not every Optimist Club chooses to honor a single officer. In Chattanooga, Tennessee, the Optimist Club showed their appreciation to the Chattanooga Police Special Weapons and Tactics Unit (SWAT).  The team was nominated by the Chief of Police Bobby Dodd for their service as officers who never receive a routine call. 

Carolyn Tucker, president of the Scenic Chattanooga Optimist Club, said “The Scenic Chattanooga Optimist Club is proud to be a long-time participant in the Optimist’s annual Respect for Law Program. As a community, we are deeply indebted to those who choose a career of service in law enforcement. These men and women serve as the frontline of protection for all of us, and we are proud to honor them.”

Her sentiments are why more than 1,500 Optimist Clubs participate in the annual Respect for Law activity by honoring their own.

Photos courtesy of the Arkansas City and Waukesha Optimist Clubs. 

Optimists encourage safe disposal of prescription meds

Dispose-A-Med flyer,  Oro Valley, AZ.

Optimist International is considering adding a new program to the list of activities that Optimist Clubs can do that will receive support from the International office.* The program, Dispose-A-Med, is a pet project of the Oro Valley Optimist Club, Oro Valley, Arizona.

The Optimist Club provides outreach and community awareness for the Dispose-A-Med project that is coordinated by the Oro Valley Police Department, in partnership with the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Other community partners include the SOBER Project, Meth Free Alliance, Fire and Wastewater Districts of Oro Valley. They invite private citizens, schools and businesses to participate too.

It's a simple project: Bring your unused or expired prescription and over the counter medications and we will dispose of them properly. ("We" refers to the law enforcement agency.)

The Oro Valley Optimist Club hosts the drop-off station on many scheduled and advertised dates during the year. They also offer free blood pressure screening and pharmacists and student pharmacists are on hand to answer any prescription questions that participants may have.

Law enforcement agencies are holding Dispose-A-Med programs across the country. The Optimist Club involvement helps generate more awareness for potential dangers to children, like "pharm parties" where the price of entry is something from your home's medicine cabinet. Kids find and share prescription drugs that they find for free at home.

The project also allows opportunities to partner with law enforcement in keeping our children safe and encouraging respect for law.

During the 2011 Optimist International Convention the Board of Directors heard from Don Cox and Oro Valley police Sgt. Amy Sloane about the Oro Valley Dispose-A-Med program. The Board referred the program to the Programs Committee for further review.

*Optimist Clubs are autonomous and can perform projects that they feel are needed in their community. Some projects, like the Optimist Oratorical and Essay Contests, receive support from Optimist International. If this program is adopted, such support would be provided to all clubs. 

Respect and thanks

Optimist Clubs inspire respect for law and to do so, they honor police officers and invite them to participate in many activities throughout the year. Projects like "Shop with a Cop, "Bike Safety Rodeos," and "Child Safety Days" help children understand that police officers are friendly and approachable. Police officers are there to listen and help.

Of course police officers must also enforce the law; that is their job, and sometimes a thankless one. So many Optimist Clubs choose to hold a recognition day to say thank you to the officers in their community. This video comes from WTOC news in Savannah, Georgia where three officers and a detective were honored for keeping the streets safe.



Click here for a press release of the event from the Savannah Chatham Metro Police.

Saying thank you goes a long way, don't you think?

Optimists recognize Tucson area first responders

On April 28, the Optimist Club of Casas Adobes, Arizona held its third annual First Responders Recognition Dinner. As one might imagine, this activity took on special meaning as the community and entire country had recently witnessed their expertise in the tragic Arizona shooting that injured Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, wounded thirteen others, and claimed the lives of six including a nine-year-old girl.



Dan Marries, anchor with Channel 13 KOLD, Marana, Arizona and a member of the Casas Adobes Optimist Club, created the video tribute and posted it on the KOLD page on April 29. He also emceed the event. Please click on the link to read more and see those honored by the Optimist Club.

One of the purposes of Optimist International is to inspire respect for law. Optimist Clubs choose to do this in a way that is meaningful to their community. First responders seem like a natural fit for the Casas Adobes Optimist Club as they are a hands-on group, at the ready to serve. The home page of the Casas Adobes Optimist Club even explains this as they "insist on being physically involved" with activities they support and that is a very commendable trait. Thank you for your service.

Share a story with an Optimist Club

I glanced over this article several times.  It wasn't really an article about an Optimist Club Respect for Law activity although there were definitely pictures of police officers. The headline declared "Optimists hear about FBI training."  Ho. Hum.  I can imagine that would be interesting if you know the officer or could hear it first hand, but it wasn't grabbing me as something to chronicle, something to keep right here as a way to experience optimism.  Until...

Yes, I'm alway excited when there is an until moment because that means there is a story behind the story.  It became obvious when I took a closer look.  Do you see it?

That's right, there is a round badge in the center of Chief Deputy Tom Caldwell's chest declaring that he is a member of the Noon Optimist Club of Rome, Georgia. His presentation about the training he received at Quantico was enjoyed by more than the public that he serves.  It was welcomed warmly by people who feel a kinship to this man almost as if a  member of their family had been given a special honor.

All Optimist Clubs have members with special interests and talents and everyone has a lifetime of experience. Why not hear more from those people who sit beside us week after week?  Don't be afraid to learn more about your friends who join you in service. Ask them to make a presentation about their work or an interesting time in their life. They might just have an enlightening story to share.

Photo credit: The Rome News Tribune

To inspire respect for law

Many Optimist Clubs have recently been honoring police officers as part of the annual Respect for Law activities sponsored by Optimist International.  The Optimist Club of Greeley, Colorado recipients, Kris Haffner, James Campbell and Greg Miller, are shown here with Chair Ron Wittow, second from right.

Some other clubs that have honored officers are:

Optimist Club of Gresham, Oregon
Optimist Club of Rome, Georgia
Optimist Club of Warner Robins, Georgia
Optimist Club of Whittier, California

One of the purposes of Optimist International is to inspire respect for law.  Read all of the purposes here.

Akron Optimist Club honors deputy

The Optimist Club of Akron, Ohio recently honored  Summit County sheriff's deputy Mark Carroll for his work in community policing.  Deputy Carroll has been with the force since 1991 and began community policing efforts in 2006. 

Among his achievements is the Senior Watch Program whereby deputies make regular contact with seniors who live alone to ensure their safety.  One hundred and twenty residents are part of the program. Kudos to Deputy Carroll for his dedication and congratulations for your award.

One of the purposes of Optimist International is to promote respect for law; another is to promote safety.  This is  program that does both.  I hope the Optimist Club gets involved with the good neighbor calls! 

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!