The optimist difference

The Optimist Difference…
…it’s all in our name!
Linda Jackson, linda@newoptimistclub.com, 208.861.2310

Optimist Clubs perform amazing projects that recognize, benefit or involve children.
But it’s our positive, upbeat attitude that makes us stand out from the rest.
Some of the clubs and their projects in Idaho are…

Boise Noon
Football
Founded in 1949, they have developed the Optimist Youth Sports Complex and host more than 8,000 boys and girls as football players and cheerleaders.
The fields are also used for soccer and they have added playgrounds and tennis courts to the park that is jointly operated with the City of Boise.
Childhood Cancer Campaign
The Boise Noon Optimist Club has also developed the Beads of Optimism and work closely with MSTI and St. Luke’s to assist pediatric patients.
Meets weekly at Twin Dragon Restaurant and host a weekly speaker or program of local interest to their members and the community.
Also provide Santa letters and Operation Bear Care.

Nampa
Football
Started in 1996 with help from Boise Noon, the Nampa Optimist Club also focuses on football and cheerleading.
Using urban renewal funds, they also built and maintain a sports complex in Nampa.
Several thousand children play in this program each year.
Beyond the Blue
During the school year, coaches and athletes teach leadership and sportsmanship in the schools.
The Nampa Optimist Club defies the norm and meets only as needed for project planning. Their focus is growing and maintaining their football program.

Meridian
International Programs
The Meridian Optimist Club was founded in 1976. Meridian generally follows the Optimist International model programs, hosting oratorical and essay contests and hosting a Junior Golf Tournament in 2009.
Junior Rifle Club
Meridian Optimists sponsor Explorer Post 1 and maintain facilities for young shooters to hone their skills and earn scholarships.
Food Baskets and Meridian Food Bank
Collect and deliver food baskets during the holiday season and work with the Meridian Food Bank year-round.
Volunteer Service
The Meridian Optimist Club provides helping hands to other organizations throughout the year.
The Meridian Optimist Club meets at 7:00 am every Wednesday at JB’s Restaurant.

Caldwell
International programs
Caldwell began in 1979 and are very active with the oratorical and essay contest.
PAL Boxing
Built a championship boxing ring and produce the
Caldwell Optimist Silver Belt Invitational.
Youth Soccer
Started and support the Caldwell Youth Soccer Program.
Caldwell Rodeo and Canyon County Fair
Primary vendors at this family and community event and the sponsors of the Buckaroo Breakfast.
The Caldwell Optimist Club meets weekly, Wednesdays, noon at the Sunrise Restaurant.

Football spinoffs
The popularity of the Boise Noon Football program has led to other Optimist Clubs in Emmett, Horseshoe Bend and Elmore County.
Although they are single purpose clubs, they do perform a valuable service in their community, funding athletic programs and working with the parks and recreation districts to build infrastructure.

McCall
Founded in 1981, the McCall Optimist Club is not a football club; however, the Optimist Football program is big in the community.
According to their members, they often provide monetary support, but they do not provide coaching or maintenance to their fields.
Senior Lock-in
The McCall Optimist Club is the largest on-going supporter of the annual senior lock-in to keep kids safe on graduation night. They host games, provide food and supervision.
Holiday Flags
McCall decorates the streets with flags on all national holidays.
The McCall Optimist Club meets Tuesdays, 7:00 am through the school year at the Pancake House.

Jerome
Founded in 1976, the Jerome Optimist Club is best known for the Coats for Kids program. They collect gently worn coats and refurbish them, clean them, and redistribute them to children in need.
Youth Appreciation
Jerome also conducts the largest youth appreciation program in the Pacific Northwest District. They recognize kids for doing the right thing or paying it forward. More than 80 children received recognition for being caught in an act of kindness last year.
Holiday Programs
Breakfast with Santa and the Easter Egg Hunt are annual activities that the community looks forward to.
Special Needs Fishing Derby
The picture says it all!
The Jerome Optimist Club meets weekly, Wednesdays, 6:30 pm at the Senior Community Center.

Twin Falls
The Twin Falls Optimist Club was formed in 1970. They are known for their community and civic leaders and have at times been the largest Optimist Club in Optimist International. They share many projects with Jerome, like Coats for Kids and the Fishing Derby, but some of their biggest are:
Fellowship
This is what it takes to be the largest club in the nation.
Spook Alley
Twin Falls sponsors an annual Halloween event.
Coats for Kids
Twin Falls members collect, refurbish and redistribute coats to children who need them.
Relay for Life
An adult viewpoint on the Childhood Cancer Campaign – the Twin Falls Optimist Club is a major sponsor of the South Central Idaho Relay for Life campaign.
The Twin Falls Optimist Club meets weekly on Thursday, Noon at the Mandarin House.

Meadows Valley
The Meadows Valley Optimist Club began in 2006. Due to high unemployment in the area, it is on hiatus, but hopes to get back to work soon on their favorite programs:
Youth Basketball
Supports the community for all recreation programs. The basketball program is for children under 10 years.
School Supply Drive
Provides supplies at the beginning of school year and maintains a locker of supplies for the teachers to give away as needed.
Meadows Valley will meet bi-monthly at the Meadows Valley School, Wednesday, 7 pm.

Eagle
The newest Optimist Club in Idaho, the Eagle Optimist Club was chartered in November 2009.
First year projects include:
Coats for Kids Drive
Collected enough coats to share with the Eagle community and donated to the Women and Children’s Alliance.
Food Baskets
Organized a food drive for a low income apartment complex.
Safety Fair
Collaborated with the Landing Community Center, YMCA, Ada County Sheriff and Eagle Fire Department
The Eagle Optimist Club meets weekly, Tuesdays, Noon, at Willowcreek Grill.

You can
Experience the Optimist Difference
Projects that have been identified in your community to pursue are:
Youth Safety & Sports Programs
Youth Recognition
Community Outreach
Scholarship Programs
Keeping Kids & Adults Safe Online
Junior Golf
Respect for Law
What we need to get started today…
Twenty-five members
Club officers
Project champions
$425 Charter/insurance fee
$1,875 to cover first year’s dues
And we’re ready to soar!

The Optimist Creed
Promise Yourself-
· To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
· To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
· To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
· To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
· To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
· To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
· To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
· To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
· To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
· To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

The Optimist Difference…
…it’s all in our name!
Visit www.optimist.orgto learn more
In the Pacific Northwest, please contact me to get started today.

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The optimist difference

by Linda Jackson on Jun 05, 2010

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