FEBRUARY Essay Scholarship Contest Info Page 2. 56th Annual Benefit Barbecue Page nd Quarter Conference CCDHH Page 6. Youth Appreciation

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1 Newsletter for the Optimist Club of Gilbert, Arizona FEBRUARY 2016 A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT LEE Page 2 Arizona District Zone 6 Optimist International International President Dave Bruns District Governor Brian Goldstein Lt. Gov. Zone 6 Tommy Vaughn Gilbert Club Officers President Lee Buist Vice President Vacant Secretary Ernie Merritt Treasurer Lee Buist Past President Yvonna Burkle Gilbert Club Board of Directors Marilyn Pell Ann Roland Sue Kruse Joanne Kontak Newsletter Editor Ernie Merritt Club Meetings 2nd & 4th Saturday 8:30 AM Panera Bread Cafe, Dana Park 3426 E. Baseline Rd. Mesa AZ Essay Scholarship Contest Info Page 2 56th Annual Benefit Barbecue Page 3-5 2nd Quarter Conference CCDHH Page 6 Youth Appreciation Page 7 Caps4Kids Page 7 Student of the Month Page 8 Guest Reader Day at Ranch Elementary Page 9

2 A MESSAGE FROM PRESIDENT LEE FEBRUARY 2016 Headlight Page 2 Dear Gilbert Optimists and Friends, Wow, time seems to be really "flying by". Even though we were lucky enough to receive one extra day in February it does not seem like it should be March already. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Kristy again for all her hard work on our essay contest this year. Although she just recently joined us she accepted the chair for this contest and did a fantastic job. She has turned in our winner to the district chair and we will be awaiting news as to the outcome of that contest. Also I want to recognize Julie, who also is fairly new, who took on the chair of our CCDHH contest and worked for several months with the kids at Sequoia School, bringing those kids back into our district contest with one of them taking on second place. Just see what happens when we have new members. Yours in Optimism, Lee Buist Support Our Scholarship Contests A Message from Kristy Staron Essay Contest Chair Hello everyone, I wanted to take a moment to thank Lee and the club for asking me to chair the essay contest. It has been a wonderful experience and I look forward to future opportunities to help the children of our community! We were able to get seven wonderful entries and after judging, have a winner that I believe has an excellent chance at winning at the district level, so I am very excited to see those results. At our March 26th meeting, we will have an opportunity to meet all three winners and hear their essays which will be an exciting time! Thank you once again for this opportunity and my thanks especially to Lee, Sue, Cheryl, and Ernie for all of their help and support! Yours in Optimism, Kristy Staron Essay Topic: Lead by Example: Reality or Fiction"

3 FEBRUARY 2016 Headlight Page 3 SUPPORTING OUR MIRACLE IN THE DESERT Gilbert Optimist Club members helped out at the 56th Annual Benefit Barbecue benefitting Sunshine Acres Children s Home sponsored by the Mesa Optimist Club Sunday, February 28th. Following are photos of Optimists enjoying the day and working to support the event. Tom, Tom, and Ron run the free ice cream booth. Their happy fans! BBQ Tickets - Joanne Raffle Tickets - Julie and Anne Past Governors Jim and Jim confer District Governor Brian and Cynthia Our Leader Sandy reported: We had a beautiful day, and thanks to all of our fellow Optimists and many other volunteers, served over 2000 meals again.we saw many new young families visit this year and missed a few old friends.we took a day off and planning for next year starts today, get ready. Our Leader Sandy

4 More BBQ Photos VIPs work the food line FEBRUARY 2016 Headlight Page 4 Mesa Mayor John Giles District Governor Brian Goldstein With lots of help from EVIT Kids Past Arizona Governor Jim Smith posted the following on Facebook concerning the above photo of Brian Goldstein: 56th Annual Sunshine Acres Children's Home BBQ in Mesa sponsored by the Mesa Noon Optimist Club with proceeds to Sunshine Acres occurred today. Over the years the event has grown greatly in attendance and now includes tours of facilities, activities for children, and other attractions as well as support and participation of other area Optimist clubs and Optimists in the Arizona District. Arizona Optimist District Governor Brian Goldstein donned his plastic gloves to help serve along with Optimist Sandy Pickens who has long provided leadership for the annual BBQ's along with Mesa Optimist Noon President Hal Khalaf. Hal is food service director at Sunshine Acres Children's Home and joined the Mesa Noon Optimist club and is now president. Sunshine Acres Children's Home depends upon non-governmental support and does not seek governmental funds. Mesa Noon Optimist club is celebrating their 70th Anniversary this year. Merritt Tribe are BBQ Fans Trams provided tours of Sunshine Acres Over 2000 meals were served

5 More BBQ Photos - Its all about the kids! FEBRUARY 2016 Headlight Page 5 Mesa Fire Dept.

6 FEBRUARY 2016 Headlight Page 6 Gilbert Optimists attend District Conference in Phoenix The Arizona Optimist District Second Quarter Conference at Radisson Hotel Phoenix North, February 20, was attended by three Gilbert Optimists: Lee Buist, Ernie Merritt, and Julie Wersin. Optimists enjoyed the Scholarship Contest, Awards Luncheon, and the Governor s Banquet. Highlight of the day was the CCDHH District Contest Finals AZ District CCDHH Finalists Hanna Grino - Senior Sequoia; sponsored by Gilbert & East Valley Optimist Clubs William Gabe Medrano - Senior Sequoia; Sponsored by Tucson & Gilbert Optimist Clubs Anna Gano - Junior PDSD; Sponsored by Mesa Noon & Yuma Sunrise Optimist Clubs Cameron Van Zeiden - Senior PDSD; Sponsored by Mesa Evening & Old Town Scottsdale Optimist Clubs Thomas Apfel - Sophomore ASDB; Sponsored by Pueblo & Uptown Optimist Clubs Marques Strawn - Senior Sequoia; Sponsored by Tanque Verde & White Mountains Optimist Clubs Flanking the finalists in this photo: District Governor Brian Goldstein and CCDHH Chair Esthermarie Hillman.

7 Certificate AT OUR MEETINGS FEBRUARY 2016 Headlight Page 7 At our February 27 meeting we honored William Gabe Medrano as Youth We Appreciate. Gabe is a student at Sequoia School for the Deaf, and was a finalist at the Arizona District CCDHH contest. Gabe gave his contest speech to the delight of members present. His speech was interpreted by his coach Gilbert Optimist Julie Wersin. President Lee presents a Certificate and gift to Gabe Medrano. Also pictured is Gabe s Mother and his coach Julie Wersin of Appreciation Presented to William Gabe Medrano as the Youth We Appreciate" Selected by Gilbert Optimist Club This Certificate is Presented in Recognition of Excellent Character, Distinguished Citizenship, Outstanding Academics, and Vigorous Participation in School and Community Activities. February 27, 2016 Date Lee Buist Club President President Lee shared all of the awards presented to the Club at the District Conference Governor s Banquet as a result of the Club achieving Honor Club Status for He is holding the Zone 6 Roadrunner Perpetual Trophy to encourage membership growth within Zone 6. Certificate of Appreciation presented at Governor s Banquet to Ann Roland - Childhood Cancer Program Committee In recognition of your great contribution to the Arizona District During the year. Your dedication made our year very successful. Many thanks for your contribution. Ted Gaffin, Governor Arizona District Gilbert Optimists Donate Caps to Community Organizations that serve families in need Pictured are President Lee, Gilbert Optimist Em Schroeder, and two of Em's friends, Patti from PA, and Jackie from Winnipeg, who were honored guests at our February 27 meeting. President Lee presents Optimist Mugs and the appreciation of Gilbert Club to Patti and Jackie for their participation in our Caps4Kids project. Em explained that she taught many friends in her Mesa resort how to knit caps on a loom and they are thrilled to participate. They have made hundreds of caps over the past few years and our Club is grateful for their willingness to

8 FEBRUARY 2015 Headlight Page 8 WE SUPPORT RANCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL We are so proud to support Ranch Elementary School in their monthly recognition program of students, teachers, and school staff. Gilbert Optimists provide a gift for the Employee and Teacher winners and present a Certificate of Achievement to the student of the month as well as cupcakes to the winner s class. We look forward to working with Ranch Elementary School Principal Susan Kruse to bring out the best in kids Student of the Month Gilbert Optimist Club Certificate of Recognition We hereby present Teacher of the Month Employee of Character Naomi Wilkins with this certificate acknowledging your achievement and dedication for being selected as the February 2016 Student of the Month by Ranch Elementary School February 22, 2016 Date Lee Buist President Club Optimists present certificate to Naomi Classmates enjoy cupcakes in honor of Naomi

9 FEBRUARY 2016 Headlight Page 9 GUEST READER DAY AT RANCH ELEMENTARY SCHOOL February 25th GILBERT OPTIMISTS HELP OUT KIM CHERYL EM LEE

10 THE OPTIMIST CREED 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. FEBRUARY 2016 Headlight Page 10 GILBERT CLUB CALENDAR OF EVENTS 12 Mar - Regular Meeting 8:30AM 26 Mar - Regular Meeting 8:30AM; Mar. Board Meeting Follows 9 Apr - Regular Meeting 8:30AM 23 Apr - Regular Meeting 8:30AM; Apr. Board Meeting Follows 6-8 May - Third Quarter Conference Tucson 14 May - Regular Meeting 8:30AM 28 May - Regular Meeting 8:30AM; May Board Meeting Follows PLAN TO ATTEND THIRD QUARTER DISTRICT CONFERENCE See the Oratorial Finals May 6-8, 2016 Double Tree Suites by Hilton Tucson Airport 7051 South Tucson Airport Blvd., Tucson, AZ 85756; (520) 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.