Jerome kids honored by Optimist Club

What a fantastic event! Seventy-six kids ranging in age from 5 to 18 were honored by the Jerome Optimist Club at the 10th Annual Youth Appreciation Awards on Wednesday, November 5, 2008. In order to be recognized, the student had to be nominated by a teacher, parent or person in the community that witnessed the recipient doing an act of kindness or something above and beyond their daily routine to help another person or cause.

By partnering with the Jerome Rotary Club, the Optimists were able to present each student with a certificate, their nomination letter and a $10 gift card.

Optimist member Sheri Mitchell has organized the event on behalf of the Optimist and Rotary Clubs for ten years and the Honorable Thomas H. Borreson has presided over the ceremony since its inception. The youths were accompanied to the event by parents and family members. Judge Borreson made a special acknowledgement to the families for providing an atmosphere at home that encouraged the kids to give of themselves to others.

Twin Falls newschannel KMVT recorded the event. Watch the video here.

Jerome Optimists honor kids who make a difference

They might not be straight-A students. They might not be celebrated athletes. But they are kids who make a difference just by being members of the community. Perhaps she's the girl that helps out at the soup kitchen, or he's the boy that works extra hours to rake leaves or shovel snow; or they take time to help a classmate with schoolwork or at recess. The Jerome Optimist Club celebrates these special kids for their efforts every year with the Annual Youth Appreciation Awards.

This year the ceremony will be held on Wednesday, November 5, 2008 at 6:00 p.m. at Summit Elementary in Jerome, Idaho.

Nominations are received from the community; from teachers, parents, and friends. Nominations are due on Wednesday, October 29, 2008. You can nominate someone special in Jerome, Idaho or the surrounding area today by contacting Sheri Mitchell.

Make plans now for the PNW Optimist Convention

Newly elected Optimist Club presidents and secretary-treasurers are encouraged to attend the PNW District Optimist Convention on August 14-16 in Chilliwack, British Columbia. According to Governor-elect Peter Smith, this is the best time to get prepared for the year ahead! Register online now.

Training this year will include basics of club operations, delegation and goal setting. New to the agenda will be a module recently introduced at the Optimist International Convention on Public Relations.

We will also be honored to welcome the incoming Optimist International President Don Sievers. Don hails from the Optimist Club of Jackson, Missouri and will be promoting a successful conclusion to the current administrative year and inspiring a great start to the incoming year. He will introduce the theme for 2008-2009, Give me Five for the Kids, as well as the new honor club requirements.

This is also the time of year that we elect our governor-elect for 2009-2010. Linda Jackson has declared her candidacy. Find out more about Linda Jackson and Ron Petersen. Ron will be the district secretary-treasurer if Linda is elected.

Jerome Optimists host Fishing Derby

No words are needed when the joy is present on the faces of so many. Thanks to the Jerome Optimists and Project Coordinator Sheri Mitchell for a job well done!

Click here to read all about it in the Magic Valley Times.