OPTIMIST FREE SKATE FEATURES PANCAKES MARCH 07

February 27, 2010

OSHAWA, Mar. 07: The annual Optimist Club of Oshawa members FREE public skate has a new twist for their Sun. Mar. 07 outing.  A special prepared Opti-Pancake buffet is  being offered by Optimist members.

At present, this venue the  longest standing arena in Oshawa being constructed  in the 1950’s after the old Hambley Arena burnt  in Sept. 1953. We choose the Children’s venue that works in conjuction with the Optimist mandate of being a “Friend Of Youth” Optimist serve our youth and community’aid the 29th president Stephen Hambley..that’s what the Optimist are all about’ continued Hambley. It is general knowledge that this facility has  the best ice surface in the city.

Each month the Optimist Club of Oshawa select a community event to operate.  In February two varsity Durham College  athletic students  Courtney Small (Basketball) and Jordan Sutherland (Soccer) received $1,000.00 in scholarship funding in memory of deceased Optimist members Thomas A. Scero and Sydney H. Breland.

Future planned community events are the Durham Region Community Contest for the Death & Hard of Hearing (C.C.D.H.H.) in April foloowed by the 19th annual N.A.S.C. Blast Ball-’T'Ball tournament for youngsters ages 3 to 9. Other events include the Wado Kai Karate turnament and the popular Christmas Family Food Hampers and Toy deliveries each December.

Skating will commence at 12 noon and runs until 1:45 pm. The cost for skating will be a donation of a non-perishable food item(s) for the Salvation Food Bank.  In return the patrons will receive a FREE family skate and a special prepared Pancake Buffet to be served from 11:30 am till 1.30 pm.

In previous years, this public community event has been very successful.

SUPER BOWL SUNDAY FUNDRAISER HOSTED BY OSHAWA OPTIMIST CLUB FEB 07TH

January 27, 2010

superbowl joe

OSHAWA, Feb 7th; You can circle Sun. Feb 7th on your Optimist Calendar of Events that’s a must. It’s the 44th annual Super Bowl for the National Football Championship and the Optimist Super Bowl Party is a go.  Doors will open at 4:00 pm sharp.  Two of the best team ever are pitted against each other - New Orleans Saints playing the Indianapolis Colts. It’s should be great game and your attendance will make it even better.

We’ve chosen one of Oshawa’s favourite eating establishments Johnny’s Original Eatery 850 King St. West located in Oshawa within the King/Thornton Plaza.

Excitement will prevail with all proceeds going directly to the 27th Annual Christmas Food Hampers and Toy deliveries to needy Oshawa families chosen by the Salvation Army.

A special prepared hot buffet meal has been authorized by restaurant owner Johnny Milosh who is a strong supporter of Optimist programs over the years.  Special prizes, a $500.00 OHL Box at the GM Centre featuring the Major Junior “A” game between the Kitchener Rangers and the hometown Oshawa Generals on Feb. 21st is up for grabs. Cash  prizes will be awarded after each quarter and at half time. Door prizes are also available.

A nammoth 60″ TV screen along with 3 others are available for viewing.

Tickets go on sale this Fri. Jan 29th from any member at Johnny’s Eatery or from an Optimist Club of Oshawa member or be calling with 905-576-7748 or Optimist headquarters 905-576-6919 for reserved seating.  Admission prize is $25.00

OPTIMIST VOLUNTEEERS RECEIVE FINAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUNDAY FOOD HAMPER/TOY DELIVIERS

December 16, 2009

OSHAWA, Dec. 20th: Final instructions where annonced for the delivery drivers for the Dec. 20th Optimist Food Hamper/Toys dispatching. Over 150 vehicles will gather at the R.S.McLaughlin Armouries North Parking lot at noon making needy Oshawa families happy for the festive season. The families as selected and screene by the Salvation Army will be receiving 14 days of food compacting into four boxes. Two boxes will contain staple food items, another meats incluiding a twenty pound (average) festive turkey and another boxes or produce items.
Each children under the age of 14 will be grant three (3) new toys.
VOLUNTEERS SCHEDULE
1) Report at 11:50 am.
2) Enter off Ricjhmond st E. parking lot entrand is behind Wilson & Lee Music Shop.
3) Volunteer will direct your vehicle to the loading area.
4) Stay in your vehicle for instructions.
5) Volunteers (cadets & lacrosse players) will load your vehicle.
6) An instruction kits will be provided including a city map. We estimate delivery time of 1 hour
Volunteers are available to help seniors wiith deliveries.
7) The receiptant MUST HAVE PROPER ID, UNDER NO CIRCUMENTANCES LEAVE THE
FOOD/TOYS BE LEAVE. THE RECEIPTANT MUST SIGN A RECEIPT OF ACCEPTANCE.
Undeliveried Food Hampers can can be pickup on Monday (Only) the next day
from the Salvation Army locaged on Rossland and Thornton Road.
8) A signed receipt must be obtained and returned to Optimist officials.
9) Volunteers are invited to an appreciation lunch set for 1:30 pm after deliveries
See Greg/Jackie Bamber for your luchdon tokens
10. Optimist Master of Cermonies Ken Ferrill will introduce the 1913 Cadet Marching band including drawmaster
Kasey McBride. He’ll be pulling the winning ticket for a ‘09 GM Pontiac Vibe containing $1,500.00 in donated
groceries from the Walmart SuperCentre located in Oshawa at Stevenson & Laval Streets.
On behlaf ot the Optimist Club of Oshawa members a special thank-you for donating your volunteer time for this worthy and rewarding annual event.
On behalf of the Oshawa Optimist membership our family wishes your family a safe and merry Christmas 2009 and a enjoying and better 2010.
.

OPTIMIST HONOUR SCERO-BRELAND SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS & INDUCT 2010 EXECUTIVE

December 6, 2009

OSHAWA Dec 02:- Two Durham College students where honoured at the 9th annual Thomas A.Scero, Sydney H.Breland Memorial Scholarship bursary awards along with  the 2010 Optimist Club of Oshawa Inc executive being officially inducted by James ‘Jimmy D’ Dimitroff  at Optimist headquarters  held at Johnny’s Original Eatery.

Upwards to 40 attended this dual cermony for the reborn Oshawa club which almost folded  last spring due to the lack of a major fundraiser to keep the club solvent. The main fund raiser covering the first twenty eight  years -  weekly bingo’s disolved on January 31st when the hall went into receivership. Since than the club has re-organized themselves.

Starting with a bank balance of $2.86 the membership floated a successful car raffle project. Despite long and never ending volunteer hours  they have inserted themselves into the ‘BLACK’.
Optimist Stephen Hambley accepted his third term as president and has promised  to re-organize internally re-establishing the Optimist movement return to an active role  within the community. He replaced outgoing president Petrina Perrineau. Joining him are Cybil Dewhurst as president elect, Marjorie Ogden treasurer and his reliable side kick Jim Shaw as secretary for 2010.

The 9th annual Breland/Scero Memorial awards are presented in form of a $1,000.00 Durham College Athletic Scholarship/Bursary to varsity athletics who combine sports and education to it’s highest level. The winners are selected by special committee of knowledge members under the direction of athletic director Ken Babcock.

Courtney Small (Varsity Basketball) and Jordan Suthereland (Varisty Soccer) are the 2010 winners. Parents, family members and friends where in attendance at the dinner presentation.
“Friend of Optimist” Ken ‘Story Teller ” Ken Ferrill did a superb job as our master of cermonies.

COMMUNITY LIVING “MAKING A HOUSE A HOME” NOW HAPPY COOKERS WITH A NEW OPTIMIST STOVE

March 19, 2009

OSHAWA, Nov 19th: – Happy smiles prevailed at the supper table  today in East  Oshawa after a home cooked meal was prepared Early  In mid-afternoon the Optimist Club of Oshawa Inc members  Kenny Ferrill and Jim Shaw delivered a 2009 Maytag  ultra modern-multi purpose kitchen stove to a home operated by the Community Living residence. Seems the old stove had outlived it’s duties

Cheri Smith the  Resource Development & Special Events manager  for Community Living Oshawa/Clarington accepted the generous donation on behalf of  her organization. Others representing the local associated included Michael Hopkins, Brenda Rusicia and Shellia Stephenson.  The stove has a retail value of $1,295.00. In accepting this much need donation  Ms Smith remarked “The Oshawa Optimist are the front runners in their  donation  who operated twenty two home within  Oshawa and Clarington.

Tabbed with the slogan making a “House a Home “Ms. Smith has issued a changelle to  other organizations to match of better the Optimist club. We are  dire need for repairs including  amicrowave, washroom flooring, faucets, washroom sinks, a fire door, kitchen back splash tile, kitchen counterstop, a new roof . Her list is endless. She can be reached at 905-242-4027 (C) or email csmith@communitylivingoc.ca

Joe Tilley noted CTV sports announcer introduced the Community Living group to the Optimist Club at the 25th Christmas Food Hamper & Toy Deliveries held on Sun. Dec 21st.  Mr. Tilley was the master of cermemonies. His other duties as a volunteer was loading the 100 vehicles  with food hampers for delivery to needy Oshawa homes.

This is just another event of many on a endless for the members of the Optimist Club of Oshawa. Again the members get involved thus serving their mandate of being a “Friend of Youth” and helping our community.

Raffle Tickets Completely Sold Out

December 13, 2008

Oshawa, Dec 13th….The Optimist Club of Oshawa members produced a ‘whirlwind finish” in raffle sales. It took less than 2 hours to post the “Sold Out” sign finished off the last 80 remaining tickets.  Super salesperson, Margie Ross, Kenny (Story Teller) Ferrill and Jim Shaw  did a superb job selling the final ducats, at Walmart Oshawa located on Stevenson Road South. The prizes included a $500.00 home made quilt (value of $500.00), a complete set of T-Fal pots and pans (Value of $250.00) and, two restaurant V.I.P. Diner’s card good for 20 meals at the Tickled Toad Pub & Grill  (Value of $374.00) located in Oshawa at 843 King St. W in Oshawa. All the prizes were donated and produced revenues go directly to-wards the 2008 Optimist 25th annual Food Hamper/Toy deliveries scheduled for this Sun. Dec 21st from Johnny’s.  The Optimist Club members who sold the raffle tickets at the rock bottom price of $2.00 each or 3 for $5.00. Final sales figures are”- we sold 380 tickets and raised $725.00. Walmart-Stevenson Road - Howard Kerr store manager in the spirit of Xmas has promised the match our sales bumping our profits to $1,450.00.
The four lucky winners will be announced Sun. Dec 21 from Johnny’s Original Eatery at approximately 2:00 pm.  The winners will be notified on the same day.  \.
Early the 2nd annual Oshawa Optimist raffle for 12 OHL game day tickets game between the arch rival Peterborough “Petes” vs the home town Oshawa Generals on Jan 11th at the GM Centre sold out in a record 4 days at the 5-points Mall. Included in this raffle are 12 pre-game dinners at Johnny’s. Again this package was donated by the City of Oshawa and the GM Centre. This winner will be announced Dec 21st.
The Oshawa Optimist are a non-profit organization and no corporate aid. Our members are always busy fundraising. The 2008 Food hamper/Toys require an estimated $20,000.00 to operate.
On a average the Oshawa Optimist operate one major project monthly. Recently  prime time monthy events was the Optimist Thomas A.Scero and Sydney H. Breland Memorial Durham College Athletic scholarships for the sixth consecutive followed by the 19th annual Optimist Club of Oshawa sponsored Wado-Kai Karate tournament featuring 500 youth athletics

RAFFLE SALES AHEAD OF SCHEDULE REPORT GREG BAMBER

November 23, 2008

Oshawa, Nov 22: The upstart Optimist Club of Oshawa Inc Membership
have their priorities straight entrying their busiest time of the year. Fund raising is always a major focus geared towards in securing the dollars required to operate the 25th annual Christmas/Food Hamper deliveries set for Dec 21st.  The estimated cost for 100 Food Hampers (a week’s supply of food) and Toys is $20,000.00.
Accolades must be directed towards rookie Optimist member Greg Bamber whose controlling the fund raising project when it comes to ticket raffle sales. He’s done a wonderful job. On Thurs. Nov 20th sales where finalized three days ahead of schedule for the  OHL Jan. 11th  “Gens vs Petes”at the GM Centre plus a pre-game meal at Johnny’s Eatery under  license M567678 for 12 individuals. The licence was limited to  700 tickets to be sold. Optimist members are convined they could have sold at least 1,000 ducats. “We finished 3 days of schedule compared to last year” smiled a contended event chair Greg Bamber. This early sell-off permitted his group to jump start his second raffle three days ahead at the Five-Points Mall. The original date established was Sat. Dec 13 in a one day blitz at the Walmart Stevenson Road location.

His second raffle is unique and isn’t sports related. Four prizes will be awarded including a lst price of a Hand Knitted Quilt with a retail value of $500.00, a set of T-Fal assorted pots and pans, three different sizes of stick free frying pans. This package has retail value of $150.00. Third and Four prize is a Dinning Out package from the Tickled Toad Pub & Grill with Ten dinner, ten lunches and five deserts. This VIP package has a value in savings of $450.00 for 3rd and 4th prize respectively. The total package of donated gifts  has a retail market value of $1,100.00.

Only 82 squares remain unsold at closing on Saturday. First day sales were 85 followed by a bang up blitz to-day  (Sat) creating 138 sold ducats.  It is expected this allotment could create a “Sold Out Completely Sign” on Sun. Sales start at 12 noon. If successful the Optimist may not require the Dec. 13th date afterall.

Optimist crack sales team comprised of Bamber’s dedicated raffle workers include  Margie Ross, Neil Metcalfe, Kenny Ferrill, Stephen Hambley, Jimmy Shaw  and club president Petrina Perrineau. All have been outstanding spreading the word about the Optimist “Friend Of Youth” policy and community involvement.

Walmart Canada Stevenson Rd General Manager Howard  Kerr has promise to match dollar for dollar on every sale accomplished.

All proceeds go directly to the 2008-25th Annual Food Hamper & Toy deliveries set for Sun. Dec 21. Lucky winners for both raffles will be announced that same day.  This is one of the busiest time of the year for our membership. Anyone wishing to help may contact us via email e-mail@oshawaoptimist.ca or telephone @ 905-576-6919 and ask for Jim.


REGENT THEATRE RE-OPENS – OPTIMIST FRONT & CENTRE

October 26, 2008

regent-marg_0.jpg OSHAWA, Oct 25:  The Regent Theatre an historic building officially  re-opened  it’s doors with  a huge crowd in attendanc Saturday in downtown Oshawa. Oshawa Optimist Membership officials Margaret Ross, Neil Metcalfe and retired director Carol Sargent represented our orginization opening night. Glyn Laverick should be commended for opening the doors on schedule despite a 90 minute delay. still had to The venue orginally opened it’s doors on October 16, 1919 by the Famous Players Theatre chain for the  cost of $100,000. Over the year’s this building has had in shares of “up’and downs’ . During it’s life span  it was the prime movie venue attracting over 500,000 patrons annually. Since the early 90’s this historic building had been listed on the National Register as a vaudeville movie palace. This decade the City of Oshawa permitted the Oshawa Folks Art Council to oversee the operations. During this time frame the Oshawa Optimist membership donated $5,000.00 towards the “Youth Group” activies to be operated at  this venue. Eventally the Folk Arts Council despite good intentions couldn’t arrange the complete funding to revamp this downtown complex. Our City where continuing to overhaul in it’s downtown core and the Regent Theatre was just another main cog in it’s ongoing new look. Last year Glyn Laverick a Toronto business man purchased the theatre with the conditions the doors had to be open prior to the end of 2008 and a mimimum of 100 events held annually. like most opening night problems arose. A 90 minute delay occured as carpet was still being laid. The customers realizes the growing pains would happen however all echoed  with departing comments of this being a memorial occassion with great acts featuring  David Usher, The Leahy Family and Dr. Draw, with revamped theatre a joy to be in.  The show ended at 1:00 am.

OPTIMIST TOP UP ALZHEIMER SOCIETY WALK OF MEMORIES

October 23, 2008

Cheque Presentation  UXBRIDGE, Oct 19.. Being involved with second annual Durham North Walk for Memories operated by the Alzheimer Society of Durham is a rewarding experience. Eloi Dalcourt a dedicated family man from Oshawa and a loyal member assuming a variety of duties as a “Friend of the Optimist Club of Oshawa” is one numerous individuals who suffers from this dreadful health problem in Canada.  Now 77 this retired General Motors of Canada employee had three family generations attend and participate via the picuresque trails of the countryside preserves near Wooden Sticks Golf Course.It was a heart warming experience. All fifteen Dalcourt family members walked the 4 km trail successfully. Laurie Docimo the Fund Development Convenor for Durham Region located here in Oshawa was excited about the final dollars raised as local business, service clubs, individual donations collected $12,598.00. Our Oshawa membership who serve our mandate of “Supporting Our Youth & Community Since ‘82″ immediately topped up total donating an additional  $402.00 bringing the Walk Of Memories to a even $13,000.00. Mrs Flo Dalcourt is not only a great caregiver but she’s a cancer patient still receiving treament at Lakeridge Health Cancer Centre in Oshawa. This event was a wonderful experience about life itself and certainly opens your eyes about one’s own individual health. This decease effects everyone especially the immediate family, love ones and friends. Anyone can help, volunteers and dollars are always required. Alxheimer Society of Durham is located in Oshawa at 419 King St. West Suite 207 in Oshawa, via telephone at 905-576-2567, toll free 1-888-301-1106, fax 906-576-2033, their email is info@alzheimerdurham.com and they have a website at www.alzheimerdurham.com,

Their mission statement – it’s simple and to the point and reads:The Alzheimer Society of Durham Region is to improve the quality of life of people with this desease or a related dementia and their care partners.

The Optimist Club of Oshawa and it’s are proud that we could help.

OSHAWA M.P.P. JERRY OUELLETTE LOOKING FOR ‘08 VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR

January 21, 2008

OSHAWA- Jan 20 … Volunteering in our community makes a genuine difference in the lives of others. Every year more than 2.3 million Ontarians volunteer their time through 75,000 charitable and non-profit organizations. To-gether their contrutions transale into 390 million hours of volunteer help annually.

Since 1986, the Ontario government has honoured volunteers through this volunteer service awards.In the 20 years, since these awards were first established, tens of thousands of Ontarians have been recognized for their years of service.This year’s nominations are opened until this Friday, Jan 25,2008. Winners will be honoured in April 2008.

Our members are requested to submit our representative by this Thursday, Jan. 24th thus allowing us ample this to process the paper work. Kindly submit your volunteer or year to Optimist Jim Shaw c/0 email jimshaw15@rogers.com or telephone 905-576-6919.

Within our Oshawa Club we have great potential of numerous nominations.

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