Optimist Community Service Sign-up Form 2007-08

Overview of Annual Events:

The UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club sponsors or co-sponsors community projects. Following is the annual calendar of events sponsored by this chapter.

January

• Academic Decathlon - Our Optimist Chapter provides judges for the regional competition involving high school students.

February

• Ice Fisheree - we had 58 children of all ages, and their parents, participate in 2005. Each child received a jig pole and bait, as well as a t-shirt or hat.
• Oratorical Contest - the 2005 topic is "My Hero is...". Students under the age of 16 can participate. Every contestant receives a lapel pin and award certificate. The lucky winner at the state level receives a $1.500 scholarship and plaque.

March

• March Madness - a basketball shoot-out and skills contest for boys and girls in 2nd through 8th grades. They compete by age and gender. All participants receive certificates and treats. Winners get t-shirts and photos in the local newspaper.

April

• Easter Egg Hunt - Kids, toddlers and children through grade school, search for eggs (and prizes) by age groups. Several hundred children show up each year. The Optimist Easter Bunny makes his annual appearance.

May

• Bike Safety/Rodeo - In conjunction with the local police department, children in grades 2nd through 5th are given the opportunity to learn bike safety and demonstrate their knowledge and skills. Each participant has a free bike safety check and receives treats.
• Post-Prom Party - Sponsored by our club, a location, food and entertainment are provided to prom goers for a fun and safe post-prom activity.

June

• Art in the Park - The city of Whitewater holds an arts and craft event for the general public and our group sponsors a tent for kids.
• Badger State Games - As part of a statewide competition, UW-Whitewater hosts a sectional competition for high school boys and girls competing in basketball, soccer, golf, track and volleyball. The Optimist club also provides food and beverage service for this event.
• Fishing Derby - We co-sponsor a summer fishing derby that offers food, drinks and fun to all participants, with prizes for the largest fish by age and gender categories. Last summer kids and their families participated in this event.
• Optimists in Action - Projects vary year by year, but include park clean up, installing playground equipment, developing a parking facility downtown, etc.

July

• Fourth of July Celebration - A Whitewater Community event, the Optimist Club operates a gyro sandwich booth as one of our annual fundraisers.
• Jefferson County Fair - Another annual fundraiser for this chapter is to staff the entrance gates at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds.

August

• Baseball Skills - Similar to the basketball skills contest, this event gives local elementary school students an opportunity to demonstrate their baseball skills. All participants receive certificates and treats. Winners in each age/gender category receive medals.
• Relay for Life - Our club enters a team to participate in the Whitewater Relay for Life - a tribute to cancer victims and survivors as well as a fundraiser for cancer research and prevention. Last year our team raised money for this worthy cause.

October

• Soccer Skills - A competition between elementary school children by age and gender categories to demonstrate their soccer skills.
• Kid's Art Tent - Part of a UW-Whitewater sponsored event, the Optimist Club provides a recreational tent where children can work on a variety of arts and craft projects, which they then get to keep.
• Pedal to the Kettle - now called "The Kettle Moraine Optimist Ride", this is another of our annual fundraising activities from which 100% of the profits are used to fund the other activities described in this web site. Our goal: to make this ride one of the best events in Wisconsin biking. Wait until you see the tailgate party in fall 2005. All participants get t-shirts, refreshments on the road and a super tailgate party at the end.
• Pumpkin Patch - Each spring, kindergarten students from each area elementary school come to the home of one of our members for a scenic nature walk by the lake and conclude by planting a pumpkin garden complete with scarecrow. Pumpkins are harvested just in time for Halloween by the same kids, now first graders. Treats are provided on both occasions.

November

• Youth Appreciation Week - During this week, the Optimists sponsor a bowling activity and pass out free ice cream in the local public schools. School leaders (student council) also attend our meeting as luncheon guests of the Optimists.
• Food Drive - Optimist members collect food staples, which are donated, to the local food pantry. In addition, we "adopt" one or two local families in need (identified by social welfare agencies) and see to it that they have holiday meals throughout the year. We have also provided clothing and sometimes furniture to these families.

December

• Breakfast with Santa - Each year we decorate the community hall and serve breakfast to children and their families. Santa and his elves are available for a visit and to pass along Christmas wishes. Each child receives a picture of himself with Santa and a "goodies" bag of treats/toys. Families in need, as identified by the food pantry and schools, are given complimentary breakfast tickets.
• Mitten Tree - Two or three Christmas trees are placed in public places in the community and mittens, hats and scarves are hung on the trees. These are donated to children in need though the public schools.
• Toy Give-Away - Toys are donated, collected and purchased by the Optimists who then wrap them for children in need, with names of children and distribution of the gifts through the food pantry.
• Caroling at Fairhaven - Each December a group of Optimist Club members carol at a local home for the elderly.