Optimist Club assists students in a right of passage

One of the big events for many children and their parents is the day they receive their drivers license. Unfortunately, many schools have made driver's education optional and the price is out of reach for many families. According to the Optimist Club of Verona, WI that is not acceptable so they have created a scholarship fund to help students afford the training course.

Optimist member Holly Dowling and her husband County Court Commissioner Todd Meuer elaborated on the program by explaining that there is a "snowball effect" of not having a license - kids who can't afford them drive anyway so they can work, get caught and have even more trouble getting a license. And because they're not trained, they are more likely to be uninsured or flee the scene of an accident.

The Optimist Club of Verona hopes to build awareness and generate more funding for this much needed program that directly benefits kids and their communities.

Optimist Clubs are awesome

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An open thank you to the Optimist Club of Anderson, IN

It is always heartwarming when a student does just a little more than expected. Just ask the Noon Optimist Club of Anderson, Indiana where a young oratorical contestant advanced from the club level competition, through the zone and then came in as the first place winner of District Optimist International Oratorical Contest. For his efforts, Chandler Carroll received a $1,500 scholarship and earned lots of great memories.

To show appreciation, he sent an open thank-you letter to the local newspaper. A thank you card to the club would have been nice, but sharing his enthusiasm for the event and the Noon Optimist Club was even nicer.

Congratulations to Chandler for your success and many compliments for your thoughtfulness.

Optimist Club holds Bike Safety and Tricycle Parade

Local police often get involved with the activities of our Optimist Clubs and that's another reason to salute the efforts of our men in blue. Recently, the Sheriff's Department and the Police Intermountain Biking Association joined the Optimist Club of New Iberia, LA to help instill bicycle safety to youngsters as the New Iberia Optimist Club held the Bike Safety and Tricycle Parade.

Optimist Club to hold 2-day Respect for Law celebration

Free, fun and family-oriented. That's the mission of Main Street Rogers being held May 15-16 in Rogers, Arkansas. The Optimist Club of Rogers, Arkansas is right there in the middle of the action.

The fun will include a Catfish Clinic and Fishing Derby, Heart of the Ozarks Car Show, old fashioned games, Fincher Fun Run, Historical Museum Open House, Twilight Walk and the Ninth Annual Optimist International Respect for Law Day.

The Respect for Law Day is a special attraction for it brings the local club together with law enforcement for the kids.

Across town, in front of the Rogers Police Station on Dixieland Road, the ninth annual Respect for Law Day will take place from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Respect for Law Day is an Optimist International project. The local club partners with local law enforcement for an event that's free for local kids. According to Lt. Mike Johnson, "It's good for the police department to meet with families and kids and interact with them in a positive way." Some local children only see policemen when there's a problem at home, he said.

In addition to bonding with the police department, families can enjoy free pizza and hot dogs. Find out all about it at nwanews.com.