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.

Let's go fishing!

The Jerome Optimist Club is getting excited as they plan for one of their favorite events: the Special Needs Fishing Derby. This year they are expecting 140 special needs kids to participate on May 13, 2013.

This will be their biggest crowd ever, said program chairperson and club secretary Sheri Mitchell, and they could use some help. If you want to be a fishing buddy, be sure to let her know by calling 208.308.3264 or 208.324.4953.

Bring your chair and your fishing poles - the club provides the rest!

Martin Farms

500 North 330 East

Jerome, Idaho 

May 13, 2013 - 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Santa joins the Jerome Optimist Club for breakfast

 It's one of their favorite projects of the year, and one of the best attended. In fact, if the Jerome Optimist Club didn't bring Santa to town and serve him pancakes, I wonder if he would know how to find all of those children who look forward to sharing their wish list with him every year.






It's a big activity that takes every Optimist Club member and some of their friends and family to carry out. Breakfast with Santa took place on December 15.




Thanks to Traci Hine Brandebourg for sharing her photos with us.

Photos ©Traci Hine Brandebourg published here with permission.

Click on photos to enlarge and view.

A special fishing derby in Jerome

The Jerome Optimist Club held one of its favorite projects on Monday, May 7, at Martin's Pond in Jerome, Idaho when about 150 students with special needs went on their annual fishing outing. According to chairperson Sheri Mitchell, an event like this has been taking place at Martin's Pond for about 30 years.

The Optimist Club coordinates the activity with the schools, the bus service, the pond, Idaho Fish and Game and Clear Springs Food who donates the trout. This year Sportsman's Warehouse donated tackle and Trophy Bait supplied worms.

Another addition to the project this year was increased help from students at the high school, specifically Kylie Bright who worked with Sheri and the Optimist Club making the Annual Special Needs Fishing Derby her senior project.

The video, from KMVT, discusses her and her classmates involvement. Bright says, "It's one of the greatest feelings in the world, and to help them reel in the fish. And to get it off the line and to hear the screams and the laughter. It's something you can never forget, it's just a great experience for everyone."

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.

How about one more Santa story?

The Jerome Optimist Club served more than 250 children at the Annual Breakfast with Santa on December 18. Santa Claus is shown here with his many volunteers.

Breakfast was held at the Jerome Catholic Church with food donations from Ridley's Food and Drug and Subway.  The Jerome Optimist Club sends a big thank you to all helpers and especially to Santa for making the day very special for all.

Thanks to Traci Brandenbourg for the photo.

Let's all say thank you to the amazing kids around us

Optimist Clubs have the unique opportunity to work with amazing children every day, but once a year, the Optimist Club of Jerome, Idaho takes time to say thank you to those kids who are known for doing the right thing. They might be good students or athletes, but they don't have to be. All the Jerome Optimist Club requests is that someone in the community recognize the student for doing something special, performing a random act of kindness, or simply just doing the right thing. The Rotary Club likes the program so much that they contribute to the awards given to the students.

This year 142 students were recognized by the Jerome Optimist Club, the Jerome Rotary Club, the Jerome County Sheriff's Department and Idaho's Fifth Judicial District at an evening ceremony. Please enjoy the slideshow and then take a moment to hug and say thank you to someone near you. 

Thank you Jerome Optimist Club and photographer Traci Brandenbourg for sharing your project with us. Thank you for recognizing these outstanding students!

Let's all say thank you to the amazing kids around us every day. 

Scrambling for Easter eggs in Jerome, Idaho

It was cold and snowy, but nothing could hold back the enthusiasm of the Jerome Optimist Club for sharing Easter with the children. There were plenty of eggs for all as about 250 kids scrambled to find the camoflauged eggs that gave them an extra prize.

A haunting good time

The Twin Falls and Jerome Optimist Clubs are without a doubt some of our favorite ghouls.  Every year at Halloween they set up the premier haunted house experience for the community with all funds going to benefit the popular Optimist Coat for Kids Program.  Take a look at the scary stuff happening at the old Kruzer's Bar in Twin Falls this weekend.