Aug. 24, 2012 —
At a time when civic clubs are disappearing from large and small towns all across America, it is inspiring to see what the local Optimist Club is doing to stay relevant.
Rotary and Kiwanis are no longer active in our community. The Lions are few in number but hardy in spirit.
But the Optimists are living up to their positive name by investing heavily in area youth through impressive fund raising tied to charitable gaming, more commonly known as bingo.
It would take selling more candy, car washes and popcorn than you can imagine to raise more than $153,000 in a year to help kids.
That’s how much the Optimists in this community generated last year to support various youth activities at schools, churches and elsewhere.
They know that it takes the entire village – and lots of cash – to raise young people to lead happy, healthy and productive lives.
Some of them have been active members since the local club was founded more than 50 years ago.
Those club members, young and not so young, remind themselves at each meeting about what Optimists stand for all over the world by reciting the Optimist Creed.
It is a good plan for living that all of us could learn from. It literally is a commitment to each other to make a difference by what they say and do each day.
It goes like this:
Promise Yourself:
• To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
• To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
• To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
• To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.
• To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.
• To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
• To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.
• To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.
• To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.
• To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
Friday's Post
Optimists know how to raise money and kids
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