Optimist Kids Go Fishing

OSHAWA, May 29th; Hook,line and sinker. Yep as an estimated fifty students and Optimist will board the Optimist Club of Oshawa bus for Herber Downs for a memorable day of fishing at the 10th annual MPP Jerry Ouellette’s Youth Fishing Day Derby. A short 30 minute bus trip to Herber Downs Conservation Area is where the kids will be treated to a day of fishing, BBQ lunch, living with nature and countless of other amities. For many of the ”Youth” this marks the first time fishing.

“It’s a great experience for everyone” remarked Optimist president elect and event chairperson Sybil Dewhurst. She continued saying ‘the kids will never forget this outing’ The Optimist bus departs Village Union Elementary school at 9:00 am.  Each Youth will receive an “ID” Optimist “T” Shirt. a fishing rod and reel, bait etc.  ”This way we can identify our KIDS  quickly ” said school principal John Love, after all will don’t want to lose anyone.  Expert ‘on hands’ assistance is being provided for the kids. A dedicated committee has been established by event coordinator Paul Barta supplying instructions, of how to bait, cast,clean the fish.  This is another opportunity for the Optimist Club of Oshawa to serve their mandate being a “Friend of Youth & Serving our Community” On Friday, the pond will be stocked with over 500 trout, thus insuring the kids of a “catch”

This marks the initial event for the Optimist members to celebrate this prestigious event. The arrangements where established and in the making a  few years back due to the lifetime friendship between Oshawa MPP Jerry Ouellette the former fisheries minister of Ontario and veteran Optimist member Jim Shaw. It now has finally became a reality. In recent years, the Optimist Club of Oshawa has suffered from the lack of funds. Their main raiser was drained with the lost of Bingo revenue when the Hideaway Bingo Auditorium went into receivership. The Oshawa club had operated successful Bingo’s for 27 years serving as the main fundraiser. Without money available it was difficult to participate and in any community event. The Optimist have rebounded conducting a successful  2009 car raffle. and  now have secured a new Bingo venue hosting monthly sessions at the Red Barn Auditorium.

The Optimist have joined  forces with other community minded groups including the South Lake Ontario Conversation group, Ducks Unlimited Durham , Calvary Baptist Church, Regional Police DRPS, Emm’s Sporting Goods, Eastview Boys and Girls club, Halliburton Highland Outdoor  Association, Hawg Town Bassmasters, Lindsay Trappers Council, Muskies Canade, Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters Zone E, Ontario Deer Hound Association, Ontario Minister of Natural Resources, Ontario Power Generation, Ontario Sporting Dog Association, Oshawa Community Health, Optimist Club of Oshawa, Pickering Rod & Gun Club, Since Hall Settlement House, South Central, Ontario Fish & Wildlife Association, South Oshawa Teen Council, Toronto Argonauts Football Club, Toronto Sportsmen Show, Val-Mart Lindsay, Westmount Kiwanis Club.

Optimist will be supplying the adult supervision to maintain safety during the day. They will follow-up on June 3rd with a monster school fun/community day all sponsored by the membership of the local service club.

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