WEEK 26, CAR RAFFLE SALES FLOURISH AT WALMART SUPERCENTRE

November 15, 2009

OSHAWA. Nov 15:  We are now down to the short strokes in our campaign to supply Christmas Food Hampers and Toys for needy Oshawa families for the 26th consecutive year. Since mid-May our club members and their friends have been selling auto raffle tickets on a 2009 GM Vibe  and $1,500.00 of FREE groceries to accumulate funds to pay for the hampers. Scheduled delivery date is Dec. 20th less than five weeks away and the draw.

On Monday a  deposit of $1,237.50 will be made into our Lottery Account. It is estimated that each family hamper will cost an estimated $200.00 each. The families are selected and screen by the Salvation Army. The families will receive one box each of staple foods, produce products and meats containing a 18 pound festive turkey. Their will be enough food to eat for fourteen days covering the holiday season of Christmas and New Years for a family of four.

HATS OFF FOR OUR WEEKEND VOLUNTEERS.

Special praise for our loyal weekend sales staff comprised of Peter Pniauskas, Ron ‘Batman’ Hele, Ruth Lelone, Eric Goodwin, Bonnie Krasnovsky, Sybil Dewhurst, Jan Lynch, Cathy Kehoe, Stephen Hambley, Greg Bamber and Jim Shaw for turning in yeoman effort.

Sales continue this weekend. We’ve been scheduled in for a three day weekend dates at the profitable Metro Foods (Formerly A&P), located in Bowmanville on Fri. Nov 20 (11 am to 6 pm), Sat. Nov 21 (11 am to 6 pm) and Sun. Nov 22 (11 am till 5 pm).

FROM THE PENTHOUSE TO THE OUTHOUSE FOR OPTIMIST RAFFLE SALES AT 5 POINTS MALL

November 8, 2009

Sales contiinue this week at the Walmart Super Centre located at Laval and Stevenson Rd in Oshawa South just north of the 401 highway. Our staff will operate sales on Fri, Nov 13, Sat. Nov 14 and Sun. Nov 15 from 11 am to 6:00 pm.   Volunteers are requested to contact car raffle coordinator Jim Shaw for work dates  and time alloted schedule.

AT METRO 3 DAYS, OSC FOR 7 – NETS $5K CAR SALES REVENUE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES CHRISTMAS

November 7, 2009

OSHAWA: Working ten consecutive days and unbelievable long hours the dedicated Oshawa Optimist volunteer car raffle sales team walk away depositing  15 dollars  short of $5,000.00 (Gross) towards their goal in supplying the accumuulative funds required to supply needy families with Christmas Food Hampers and Toys for their children on December 20th.

Only 49 calendar days remain before “D” day.We operated three days at the Metro Food oulet in Bowmanville on Oct 23,24,25 than moved to the Oshawa Centre for seven days commencing Oct 26 till Nov lst. A total of 308 manhours where required covering those  ten days. Kiddos to volunteers including Stephen Hambley, Eric Goodwin, Walter Lamers, Peter Pniauskas, Ken Ferrill, Ronald Hele, Marg Ross, Neil Metcalf, Jan Lynch, Cathy Kehoe, Lori Hambley, Gus Gordon, Brian Tremblay, Marjorie Ogden, Greg Bamber, Betty Hambleyt, Isle Gilchrist, Bob Blair and Jim Shaw for a job well done and completed.

The Optimist have gained awareness with  our community in accepting the changelle , answering the call for operating this worthwhile annual event. It seems a lifetime time ago, sales kicked-off back in mid-May. With only $2.69 in their bank account the Optimist Club of Oshawa membership wanted to acknowledge their promised to the community for the 26th consecutive year.

The Salvation Army screens and selects the families who will receive the annual windfall, from application received in early November. Director Ivan Downey and his reliable assistant Lori Armstrong make the final decision. They turn over a listing to Optimist Club  of Oshawa who in turn supply the required  funds to purchase the food products, arrange for the toys, pack the food hampers and deliver  to the families on December 20th. Last year -2008- marked the 25th consecutive year this smooth operating event occured. The Optimist deliveried t0 108 families with a retail cost of $40,000.00. Historically funds in the past where  raised from Bingo funds however on Jan. 31st the venue in Whitby at the Hideway Banquet closed it’s doors going into receivership. To-day only two bingo venues remain in Durham Region.  To asccomplish our goal- the Optimist purchased a 2009 General Motors Vibe vehicle to raffle from Thomas Pontiac-Buick-GMC in Cobourg.

The Oshawa Optimst are anticipating a complete sellout of tickets.  Working under the Ontario Lottery license No. M632010 they’ve printed 15,000 tickets. At the present time just over 9,000 have been sold at the rate of $5.00 for a single and for $20.00 customers receive a bonus ticket receiving 5.  Remaining confirmed selling locations are at the Five points mall, Walmart South “Super Centre”, Sobey’s North, Bowmanville’s Metro Foods and Price Chopper in the Lake Vista Plaza in south Oshawa.

Starting on Nov 4 thru to Nov 7 sales will be conucted inside at the Five Points Mall located in north Oshawa at the corner of Ritson and Taunton road.

DESPITE LOW ATTENDANCE AT 5-POINTS ANOTHER $1K PLUS WAS RAISED FOR CHRISTMAS FOOD HAMPERS

October 18, 2009

OSHAWA, Oct 18: Despite a pitfall of shoppers at the Five Point Mall the Oshawa Optimist Car Raffle Sales team still managed to collect $1,150.00 in net sales covering a  four day period from Wednesday October 14th to Saturday, October 17th. This sales period completed  twenty-two (22) consecutive weeks of sales. Only nine weeks remain before ticket sales officially close. The draw for the 2009 General Motors produced “Vibe”  containing $1,500.00 in groceries will be announced on December 20th. That’s the same date the 26th annual Optimist Club of Oshawa sponsorsed Food Hamper and Toy deliveries  will be deliveried.

Operating under Lottery License Number M632010 our sales team has 33  selling dates remaining before “D” day. At present the auto is paid, with enough dollars in our lottery account to supply 100 families with 14 days of food including three (3) individual hamper boxes comprised of one box of assorted meats including a 20 pounds festive turkey, a box of produce product with the other box comprised of hardy staple food. Again no  sweets are involved. Each child under the age of 14 with receive three (3) individual toys which are collected annual by our partners – the Martin Chiropatic Clinic (19th year) and the nurses from the Lakeridge Health (OGH-7th year) from the 4th main floor.  Last year the combined collected new toys amounted to  1,138.

On December 20th, an estimated 150 volunteers will collectively join to-gether bonding to pack and delivery the groceries/toys to families selected and screened by the Salvation Army.

Back in April the Optimist Club of Oshawa where in the midst of folding due to lack of funds. On January 31 the clubs prime fundraiser weekly bingo’s at the Hideway Bingo Hall in Whitby went in receivership eliminating all potentional funding for the Christmas Hampers. The Optimist Club of Oshawa member decided to operate first time car raffle. With the cooperation of the Cobourg GM dealership Thomas Pontiac-Buick-GMC we embraced  into a mammoth sales campaign starting on the Victoria holiday weekend. This has been the longest and most successfull fundraiser in club history when the club was founded on July 22,1982.

The sales staff have been using high traffic locations ie- Walmart Super Centre in South Oshawa and Cobourg, Sobey’s North, Price Chopper located at Townline Road and in the Lake Vista Plaza, the LCBO, Oshawa Centre, Five Points mall, Car Classic shows plus other locations. The general public have been responsive to our sales team.

This past week loyal and tired  volunteers working where; Gary Fossum, Peter Pnauskas, Ron (Batman) Hele, Eric Goodwin, Greg Bamber, Brian Tremblay, Stephen Hambley, Marjorie Ogden, Cathy Kehoe and Jim Shaw.

WEEK 21, PRODUCES THANKSGIVING WEEK-END CAR RAFFLE SALES OVER $1K

October 12, 2009

QUESTIONABLE WEATHER HURTS OPTIMIST CAR RAFFLE SALES

October 7, 2009

OSHAWA, Oct 4: One minute it was sunshine, the next rain and next minute light snow conditions. That questionable weather conditions sunk Optimist Car Raffle Sales for their 2009 General Motors produced Vibe on the weekend held at the the Wal*Mart Super Centre

Net revenue collected for the three day weekend  meltdown of sales produced a lowly $868.00 during the 21st week. It was the lowest sales report since sales began back in mid-May. Now it’s onward and upwards as our  stalward sales team reloads — starting this coming weekend at thePrice Chopper  border of Oshawa/Courtice location  starting Oct 9th running through the Thanksgiving weekend till Sunday Oct 11th.

Workers at the Wal”Mart were Peter Pniauskas, Ron ‘Batman’ Hele, Stephen Hambley, Cathy Kehoe, Kenny Ferrill, Greg Bamber, and three members from the Children’s Wish group David Brown, Rudy Anzlin and Rob Houston.

ONLY 82 DAYS REMAIN BEFORE CAR RAFFLE WINNER ANNOUNCED

September 30, 2009

OSHAWA, Sept 30th: The Optimist Club of Oshawa members sponsored Car Raffle to win a 2009 General Motors produced Vibe ends in just 82 days. ‘ We’re on official count down  remarked Optimist treasurer and raffle coordinator Jim Shaw.’ This raffle certainly has had it’s challenges.  Sales commenced  on Victoria Day Long  weekend in May.

It’s remarkable story that continues to unfold every week by the volunteers who help Their on going unselfish, dedicated hours  worked with a controllable  devotions is remarkable.  Profits are directed towards the 26th annual Christmas Food Hamper and Toys deliveries scheduled for December 20th, 2009. Receiptants are selected and screened by the Salvation Army. The “Army” turns over the official listing to the Optimist Club of Oshawa who inturn purchase the Christmas products, pack and deliver to the needy families within the community. This event is a rewarding experience for the  volunteers involved.

Ro-date the Optimist membership have been using high traffic area’s to sell their tickets. Walmart Super Centre on Laval and Stevenson Road, Sobey’s North Oshawa, Price Chopper at Lake Vista Mall and townline road bordering the boundry of Courtice/Oshawa, Canada Day, the downtown Side Walk Sale, Oshawa Centre and Auto Fest has produced the bulk of our ticket sales to date.

We are anticipating sales to vastly increase as the draw date bears.  We’re back to the Oshawa Centre from Oct 26 till Nov lst, have permission to sell tickets at the 5-points mall Oct 14 till the 17th and again in November on the 4,5,6,7th.  We are hopefull to be granted permission to sell tickets at the upcomming boys minor hockey tourament at Legends Centre on the weekend of Oct 23 covering 4 days. If problems can be resolved our group would enjoy selling tickets at the OHL games during December at the Community owned General Motors Centre and  announce the winning ticket holder  at the Dec. 20th home game between the “Gens” and Owen Sound Attack.

WEEK 19 – OPTIMIST CAR RAFFLE SALES STILL BUZZING, VOLUNTEERS TO RECEIVED DONATED JACKETS FROM THOMAS MOTORS

September 27, 2009

MR.’Z’s’ CAR RAFFLE STAFF SETS NEW SINGLE DAY SALES RECORD AT AUTO FEST KICK-OFF

September 2, 2009

OSHAWA, Aug 30th; Despite cold damp and spotty rain conditions the Optimist Club of Oshawa Car Raffle team turned in another brilliant sales weekend, The biggest total as anticipated resulted from the kick-off of the dowtown Oshawa Auto Fest showcase we produced a record breaking $1,705.00.  The previous mark occured at the Cobourg Wal*Mart centre on July 11th collecting sales of $1,582.00 over a 5 hour time frame.

Mr. ‘Z’s’ had his crack “A” team selling at a rapid pace recording a sales pace of $378.00 average per hour.  This overworked crew saw Jackie Bamber, Rudy Arizin and David Brown pack it about 9;00 pm as this trio of workers just complete a 8 hour work day on their regular jobs. They was just bushed. The others Brian Trembley, Peter Pnauskas, Johnny Zarowny, Ronald and Irene  Hele and Jim Shaw where treated to a Chinese dinner courtesy of  event chair Zarowny. Margaret Conway the other loyal helper rejected the dinner out offer departing with her grandchildren for some bonding time.

The Optimist Sales team moves inside for a week at the Oshawa Centre starting Monday, Aug 31st straight through to Labour Day weekend.

OPTIMIST TO WEAR “RED” SHOWING SUPPORT FOR OUR TROOPS AT AUTO FEST AUG 28TH

August 21, 2009

OSHAWA. Aug 28th: The Oshawa Optimist Club members will be out in full forced on Friday August28th celebrating the kickoff of Auto Fest in Downtown Oshawa from 5 pm till closing.This year is “special” as Oshawa residence are requested to wear “RED” showing support of our troops. Plans call for 40  banners to be displayed from the Simcoe St. N. Armouries running down  Simcoe St to the now famous Highway of Heroes 401 bridge. This awareness will be a rewarding experience to all citizens.

General Craig Hilton will be front and centre with Sgt Graham Hume representing the local Oshawa Armouries who will be conducting a “Special Fundraiser”

Canada’s newest university O.U.I.T. in Oshawa Shinerama Team will be seeking support for the Cystic Fibrosis Oshawa chapter, the  Durham Radio “Rock Girls” will be handling our FREEBIES after 5:30 pm while the Coffee Culture Restaurant will be suppling FREE entertaiment plus they have prepared a special box lunch for the reasonable price of $4.99 each .

Naturally the crack Optimist Club of Oshawa Car Raffle Sales team will be conducting ticket sales on their ‘09 General Motors produced “Vibe Vechile” which includes $1,500.00 in groceries. The draw date isDecember 20th will all the profits going to the purchase of Food Hampers and children’s toy  as selected and screened by the Salvation Army. Sales start at 5 pm.This marks the 26th consecutive year the Optimist Club of Oshawa have supported this worthy community project. Volunteers are still required and helpers may  contact raffle coordinator Jim Shaw 905-576-6919 or email jimshaw15@rogers to help. Sales commence at 5:00 pm. The Optimist sales  office location is in the heart of the downtown core (the four corners) we’ll be located next the Toronto Dominion bank on Simcoe St. N.  This gala affair will be a “rewarding experience to remember” Already – Brian Trembley, Peter Pnauskas, Ronald Hele, Peter Pnauskas, Johnny Zarowny and Jim Shaw have signed up. Five more are required.

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