The Jerome Optimist Club kicks off Coats for Kids drive

Rick Matkin, member of the Caldwell Optimist Club and lieutenant governor of Zone 2 - Idaho, visited the Jerome Optimist Club last week. He was there just in time to capture two significant events.

First, President Sheri Mitchell presented the Optimist of the Year award to Marsha Martin. Marsha is a newer member of the club who stepped up immediately to help as the club secretary-treasurer in 2013-2014. Congratulations Marsha!

Second, the Jerome Optimist Club kicked off its Coats for Kids program with a donation from Randy and Lori Steadham. Representing the Snake River Corvettes Club, they brought a number of coats collected by the club. With a winter advisory in effect, they will be put to immediate use. Thanks Lori, Randy and the Corvettes.

Baby, it's cold outside!

It's amazing how quickly the cold weather hit Idaho and that means that the Optimist Clubs of Jerome and Twin Falls were thrown into overdrive as they scrambled to get their Coats for Kids drive underway.

The Twin Falls Optimist Club reached out to the local television station and began advertising for donations.



They also applied for a Powering Lives grant with Idaho Power. Committee Chair Patsy Bland shared the Coats for Kids story on the Idaho Power Facebook page and asked her friends and the public to vote for the club to win. Click on over and give them a vote!

In Jerome, President Sheri Mitchell went a little softer with her sell, reaching out to club members and community stakeholders to express the need. In the monthly newsletter, she wrote,

"The Jerome Optimist Club has chaired the Coats for Kids project for 38 years and still running strong. Coat barrels are located at the Jerome Wal-Mart (north entrance), the Jerome Library and the Jerome Middle School. Also assisting the Jerome Optimist Club is the Snake River Corvette Club, Falls City 4 H Club, JMS Leadership Students, Jerome Girl Scouts and Brownies, Horizon/Jefferson Elementary and Wal-Mart. PLEASE remember kids come in every size so adult coats are needed too. For a coat please call Sheri 308-3264."

According to Sheri, the Jerome Optimist Club has already delivered 122 coats this year.

Your donations will help keep kids warm this year. If you can give, please contact the club presidents at the following links: Twin Falls Optimist Club     Jerome Optimist Club .

Coats for Kids program going strong in Jerome

Treasurer Julie Stadelman accepts a
donation from Patsy Bland and the
Magic Valley Early Iron Club. 

The Jerome Optimist Club has been working hard again this year on one of their favorite projects: Coats for Kids. Led by Santa Sheri (Sheri Mitchell), the club recently filled some of their coat orders with help from "elves" in the community from local schools, Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts.

They also welcomed a donation of 60 coats from the Snake River Corvette Club and Patsy Bland, Chair of the Twin Falls Optimist Club Coats for Kids program dropped by with a donation of $500 for Jerome's Coats for Kids efforts. The donation was a gift from the Magic Valley Early Iron Club, a club that produces classic car shows.

The Coats for Kids program accepts new and gently used coats that the club refurbishes, cleans and redistributes in the community. When sizes are requested that are not on hand or supplies run low, the Optimist Club will purchase coats for children in need. Monetary donations are always appreciated.

Thanks to Robin Stanhope, Jerome Optimist Club Secretary and Bulletin Editor for the story. Robin invites you to visit the Jerome Optimist Club blog for more updates on club projects. If you live or work in the Jerome community, consider getting involved by joining the club today.