MAYOR JOHN GRAY & OPTIMIST GOVERNOR TOM McNAUGHT TO LEAD 26th ANNUAL XMAS FOOD HAMPER & TOY CAVALCADE

December 7, 2009

OSHAWA, Dec 6th: An all-star cavalcade featuring over 100 vehicles will be lead by Oshawa Mayor John Gray and Cenon Optimist Govenor Tom McNaught from Oakville at the 26th annual Optimist Club of Oshawa members sponsored Christmas Food Hamper and Toy deliveries on December 20th. The local Oshawa club where formed and chartered on July 22nd, 1982.

The Oshawa nearly folded this past spring due to lack of funds to operate. Their main fund raiser weekly Bingo’s ceased on January 31st in Whitby when the business went into receivership. The Oshawa club was the mainstay for Zone 8 (Durham Region) with clubs operating in Ajax, Brooklin, Uxbridge and Whitby. When the local ecomony suffering a severe downfall from the closures of the GM giant auto plant closures, layoffs and forced retirements the future was bleak at best for a Optimist recovery.

Starting with a lowly bank balance of $2.86 and a commented budgeted items the membership decided to roll the dice for a comeback. Using the recycled fund raiser the group decided to raffle off a 2009 General Motors produced Pontiac Vibe commencing sales last spring in mid-May during Victoria Day weekend as first prize. Wal*Mart SuperCentre added to the first price take donating $1,500.00 in groceries to the winning ticket holder. Despite unwanted problems and growing pains this project has seen a new attitude develop, has incourage new members in supporting the Optimist mandate of being a “Friend Of Youth and our Community”

Devoted volunteers and members have logged over 9,000 hours in making this turn-a-about possible. Certainly a Cinderella Story” with a anticipated happy ending. Newly elected Optimist president Stephen Hambley said “our volunteers have been remarkable, when we originally printed 10,000 tickets it seemed receiving that figure was only a dream”. Local citizens have responded to the marketing strategy making believers  in purchasing of tickets at $5.00 each or the bargin basement price of 5 tickets for $20.00. Many business firms and fellow Ontario Optimist Club purchased $100.00 packages in boosting  ticket sold to  12,000.With two weeks remaining to the December 20th draw date 15,000 tickets seemed to be a reachable amount. This weekend our raffle gang are selling tickets in Bowmanville at the Metro Food Store on Dec 11,12,13 from 11:00 am to 06:00 pm The final sales weekend will be held at the Wal*Mart SuperCentre on Dec 17,18,19 from 11:00 am to 06:00 pm.

Optimist ticket sellers have been pro-active with in high traffic chain stores plus the Oshawa Centre, Auto Fest, Downtown Oshawa Sidewalk sale and the Five Points Mall.  The bulk of sales conducted every weekend for the past 31 weeks. The largest ever one day sale was conducted in Cobourg during the summer securing $1,700.00 in sales.

On Dec. 20th after the hampers/toys have been delivered a special cermony will be conducted within the R.S.McLaughlin Oshawa Armouries located at 53 Simcoe St. N. To-date over 9,000 volunteer hours have been accumulated by the Optimist and volunteers.  The volunteers are deeply committed. On numerous occassions tickets have been sold at three different locations on the same day. No one is paid for their efforts with all profits going to help the needy families and other Oshawa Optimist Youth events during the calendar year.

GENERALS SHUTOUT THE OPTIMIST

Originally it was felt – the announcement of winning ticket holder would be conducted at the multi-million GM Centre build by citizen of Oshawa. The Optimist where in contract with OHL club in early June and their management seemed very interesting in out suggestion in our face to face meeting. After 18 telephone calls/emails with no reply’s afterwards the anticipated love affair never happened. The “GO turn into a NO GO” for this no-brainer community project. The OHL Generals rent the GM Centre from the City of Oshawa. High profile individuals including elected City of Oshawa elected officials, Chambers and Commerce, GM Centre management and even super fan himself Terry Kelly a mainstay in the errection of the Civic Auditorium couldn’t convince the Generals Management team permitting the announcment. Plans called for a local soldier who served in Afghanistan to draw the winning ticket. The Optimist club wanted to saluate our armforces serving to protect our freedom for Canada. The Optimist membership offered to fill the unsold GM Centre  tickets and donating them to Oshawa’s youth for the Owen Sound vs Oshawa Generals game on Dec. 20th. Again the Generals never responded.

Jim Shaw – Car Raffle coordinator is disappointed with Oshawa Generals. A noted sports broadcaster, reporter he has aided the Generals for over 40 years however with new management they seemed non-interested in local community efforts.

As it now stands, the Optimist will employ the R.S.McLaughlin Armouries located at 53 Simcoe St. North for their Dec. 20th showcase.

Upwards to 150 volunteers will meet within the north parking lot north of armouries (off Richmond St) at 12 noon for  deliver for the 26th consecutive year of Food Hampers/Toys. Each vehicle are requested to deliver to two families each.

Each family will be supplied for two weeks (14 days) of groceries containing two boxes of staple food, one box of meats including a 15 pound average festive turkey with the fourth box jammed full or produce products Family members will be allotted three new toys each for children ages 14 and under. Toys are supplied by the Martin Chiropractic Clinic (19th year) and the Nursing Staff located on the 4th main floor at Lakeridge Health at OGH. The toys are sorted by gender and age for Optimist delivery. Last year the outlets collected 1,208 toys including 108 build a bears.

Kasey McBride 19 a Oshawa Cadet graduate will make the draw. He joined the arm forces this past spring . Prior he trained under deceased Jerry Kehoe whose wife is a super active volunteer with the Optimist Club. He be escorted by the Oshawa 1933 Cadet Band to make the official announcement.

The winning ticket holder name will be published in the local media, advise via telephone or email and his/her name will be published on the Optimist web site www.oshawaoptimist.ca

Anyone wishing to help delivery can contact Optimist event coordinator Jim Shaw at 905-576-6919 or via email at jimshaw15@rogers.com

HUGE CROWD AT OPTIMIST APPRECIATION DINNER JAN 21

January 21, 2009

Oshawa, Jan 21…. An overflow crowd attended the annual Optimist Club of Oshawa members sponsored Appreciation dinner held at Johnny’s Original Eatery. This annual event saluted the solidarity movement of the local service club who have been support “Youth” and Community activies since 1982.

Optimist president Petrina Perrineau “welcomed” everyone in attendance stating “It’s a rewarding experience just being here” She continued to say the Optimist movement remains strong and dedicated towards all activies within our community. Despite having a small membership, the Oshawa Optimist do major events 12 months a  year.  She cited the annual Christmas Food Hampers/Toy deliveries  celebrating  the 25th consecutive year held  on Dec.  21st as a perfect example. The Optimist with strong support from 150 volunteers deliveried 100 Food Hampers to needy local families selected by the Salvation Army. Families with children received a mimimum of three toys per-child. The food supplied was capable of feeding a family of four for a seven day including a 15 pound Xmas Turkey. The toys where collected from two separate outlets -  the Martin Chiropractic Clinic and the staff from the 4th Main Floor located at OGH Lakeridge Health. Combined the both outlets collected over 1,100 superb quality toys with a estimated retail value of over $30,000.00. The Optimist Toys drive are  the largest supplier the Salvation has within the Durham Region. Further more, Walmart-Canada offered special pricing for the overflow hampers jammed within a total of 3 full boxes.

The Optimist membership are always fundraising. Other projects events during the calendar year includes the Wado Kai Karate Youth Tournament, Durham College Athletic Scholarships, Hockey Nite in Oshawa, Leisure Family Swims, Ice Skating, Respect For Law, the CCDHH Youth Speech contest for the Hard of Hearing, the annual “T”Ball tournament for various hockey,baseball and softball tournaments.

Revenue comes from fundraising events at the  weekly double bingo’s at the Hideaway Hall, Monday Nite Euchre, Raffles and other brainstorming ideas. This spring the membership are strongly considering a classic car raffle thus permitting addition revenue for other needy projects.

At the Appreciation dinner, Perrineau and former two time president Stephen Hambley handed out appreciation awards to the Five Points Mall, City of Oshawa, T-Fal Canada, Salvation Army, Cleeve Inds. , CAW Local 222, Martin Chirpractic Clinic, Discount Vehicle Rentals, Lakeridge Health 4th Main Floor Nurses at the Oshawa General Hospital and Walmart Canada.  Individually Kenneth Ferrill plus the Skinner Family George and Kay where saluated for the heavy annual donations directed to the Christmas Hampers and Toys.

Media honours went to Terry Johnston the morning radio host on 1580 CKDO AM, Joe Tilley CTV sports anchor and the SNAP-Oshawa owner tandem of Graziella and Tony Vanderveen.

MEMBERS MEETING MARCH 18 AT OPTIMIST HEADQUARTERS

March 16, 2008

OSHAWA, March 18.. This Tues.(Mar 18) probably the most important members meeting in the history of the club is scheduled for Southmead Park 113 Kawartha Street at 6:30 pm.
The following agenda items have been established. If any member has any additional items for the agenda please contact Jim Shaw prior to 6:00 pm on March 17.
Agenda

1. Acceptance from our Feb 17th minutes (last member’s meeting)
2. Treasurer’s Report
3. Bingo Report
4. Euchre Report
5. Latest of Maryanne Sholdra missing $5k.
6. Status of Herongate Dinner Theatre For April 06
7. Status of Youth Centre (Partnership with City of Oshawa)
8. Approval of future projects:
(a) CCDHH contest (local) ……………………$ 250.00
(b) Blast Ball Tournament (Aug)……………….$ 500.00
(c) Year End Euchre Steak Dinner ……………$ 200.00 (Est)
(d) OI Membership Dues………………………$ 150.00
(e) Misc Exp- ie Rentals etc,Yr End Bqt……. $ 500.00 (Est)

9. President’s Comments (should our club continue to operate) .
10.Election of Officers ‘08-’09 executive

” Bring a Friend Along”

Members Appreciation Dinner

January 14, 2008

OSHAWA, Jan 10th Accolades galore prevailed, and rightly so, at our annual Optimist Club of Oshawa members Appreciation Dinner meeting at Johnny’s Original Eatery held Thursday, Jan 10th. Twelve special invited guest appeared, receiving sincere acknowledgment including plaques,a special prepared roast beef dinner with all the trimmings (soup, salad,desert, hot/cold beverages) for their dedicated involvement with the 24th annual Food Hamper/Toy deliveries held on a snowy-windy Sabbath December 16, sponsored by the Optimist Club of Oshawa Members. One hundred needy Oshawa families received three-jammed packed food hampers valued at $100.00 each plus donated new children’s toys for every family child from an approved supplied list from the Salvation Army. It was an eventful, rewarding evening.

Our partnership groups included CAW Local 222 (represented by Charlie Peel – the financial treasurer), Isobelle Guimone a grade 5/6 teacher from the Notre Dame French school in Ajax,Ken Ferrill and Jay Kimble a strong friend of the Optimist movement and a prime contributor/volunteer towards the Hampers, Lori Armstrong and Billy Boyce representing the local Salvation Army, SNAP-Oshawa Graziella and Tony Vander Baaren the official tabloid newspapers for this event, toy donator Christine Gonzalez representing the nurses from the 4th Floor at Lakeridge Health (Oshawa),Shelda Woods the Manager and Michelle Laffrienier the customer service manager at Oshawa Discount Car & Truck Rentals. Unable to attended was the Celebre Family – Marco, Mary and John and the representatives from the Martin Chiropatric Clinic a mainstay for the past twelve years who had to depart for a Philadaphia Conference

Rich Hubbard our Zone 8 (Durham Region) Lt. Governor appeared delivering high praise for Oshawa’s prime time event.

Again owner Johnny Milosh and his capable kitchen/serving staff produced another delicious meal.

CASEY HEWETT TALKS ABOUT VIMY

October 24, 2007

Sixteen year old Casey Hewett who attends McLaughlin CI in Oshawa as a grade 11 student was co-sponsored by the Oshawa Optimist Club membership for her spring trip to Vimy Ridge in France earlier this spring was in attendance at Optimist Headquarter explained her expierence’s of her trip. The 11 day trip she witness many different experinces. She was one of 40 student members from McLaughlin CI and over 400 Durham Region students. Her 18 minute presentation drew rave review from the Optimist member. She delivered a 18 minute slide presentation plus a detailed question and answer period. Her father DRPS Sgt Jeff was in attendance with his daughter. Mr. Hewett has been a long time supporter of our membership and both organization have worked collectively in numerous partnership events.

Casey Hewett Guest Speaker at Optimist Meeting Oct 23rd

October 14, 2007

Oshawa, Oct 23 .. Casey Hewett a grade 11 McLaughlin CI student will be the guest speaker at our next Dinner Meeting scheduled for Tuesday, Oct 23 @ 6:30 pm at Optimist Headquarters (Southmead Park) 113 Kawartha Street.

Last year our membership co-sponsored her high-school trip to Vimy Ridge as Durham Region Students witnessed the famous WW2 battle area. An avid community volunteer worker she’s deeply involved at the school – playing varsity basketball and music. Currently she’s a mainstay for the annual spring school play.

Her 18 minute power point slide presentation will include a question and answer period.

Ruth Brock our head chef and president Stephen Hambley are co-coordinating this event. Our meal will include “Ruthie’s”famous Italian Spaghetti with Meat Balls, Garlic Bread, tossed salad, a hand-picked dessert, coffee, tea and bottled water.

Dinner time is 6:30 pm sharp with the doors opening at 6 pm.