CERTIFICATES of PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT and COMMUNITY SPIRIT with CASH BURSARY

On Wednesday morning June 27th at Notre Dame Leduc elementary School, one female student and one male student received a Certificate of Personal Achievement and Community Spirit with Cash Bursary from Leduc Optimist Club members at the school's Awards Assembly.

The Black Gold Optimist Club of Leduc offers this chance to acknowledge two outstanding students to a different Leduc area elementary school each year on a rotational basis. School staff choose the recipients.

Knowing the importance of education, our club is hoping this type of incentive for effort, achievement and concern for others will help to spur on all students to higher goals and promising futures. Two students were selected from a worthy group of nominees for this award. The document states that each selected student:

- Displays initiative, scholastic effort and academic achievement
- Demonstrates respect for school rules and the rights of others
- Promotes friendship among all students and staff
- Shows a willingness to be involved in school or community activities and events
- Has a respect for self, respect for others and is responsible for personal actions
- Best exemplifies the Optimist Creed (view by clicking the Creed tab)

CONGRATULATIONS to both students and their supportive families and teachers.

Optimist member Bob Scott holds the Cash Bursary envelope while the smiling Male recipient Jesse Johnson holds the framed Certificate.

Optimist member Denise Stamp is shown with the beaming Female recipient Alexandra Haberman and the presented Certificate. Her Cash Bursary is safely tucked away in a gift bag.

It was a real pleasure for us to be in the midst of all the great students, teachers and staff at Notre Dame School (as it was at another school last year).

THANK YOU for allowing us to try and help to " Bring out the Best in Kids"; which parents and teachers do on an every day basis.

June 28 Meeting

Just a reminder to all Optimists that our last meeting before the summer recess is on June 28 7:00 p.m. (7:30 for meeting only) at Smitty's Family Restaurant.  Guests are always welcome.  We will be overviewing the upcoming summer events and the planned program is the food bank.  Please bring a non-perishable food donation.

DONATION PRESENTED TO LEDUC AREA MINOR FOOTBALL

At the June 14th meeting of the Black Gold Optimist Club of Leduc, a donation cheque in the amount of $750.00 was presented to the Leduc and District Minor Football Association (L&DMFA). Thanks was also expressed for the football group's assistance in selling the Optimist Club's raffle tickets.

Optimist member Denise, on the left, presents the cheque to Jennifer Neufeld of the L&DMFA

FOOTBALL RAFFLE FUNDRAISER 2012 DRAW WINNER

During our meeting  last evening - June 14th - at the Smitty's / Shades establishment in Leduc, the draw was conducted for our Black Gold Optimist Club of Leduc Football Raffle Fundraiser. All 975 tickets printed were sold. All net proceeds go to our Youth and Community Activities and Programs.

The winning ticket was #0044 purchased by Mark Hughes of Edmonton.

He has been contacted by phone and the prize package of two Edmonton Eskimos Gold Season Tickets plus $325.00 in an Eskimos Gift and Concessions Card (to use at the games) will be personally delivered. The total package value is $1211.00. The first home game (pre-season) is on Thursday June 21st, starting at 7:00pm.

Impartial ticket picker Dan Cloutier has selected the winning raffle ticket from the lottery drum as Optimist Brian looks on.

CONGRATULATIONS to Mark and a big THANK YOU to all ticket purchasers and sellers.

The happy winner Mark, is on the left shown receiving the prize package from Optimist Ray.

JUNE 14th MEETING & RAFFLE DRAW REMINDER

Our next regular meeting and special raffle draw takes place in the Smitty's / Shades Leduc establishment on June 14th at 7:30pm.

CASTROL RACEWAY 50/50 TICKET SALES FUNDRAISER

The Black Gold Optimist Club of Leduc assists in the Rotary Club of Nisku-Leduc 50/50 Ticket Sales Program at Castrol Raceway along with other groups. The half of ticket sales which does not go to the ticket draw winner is proportionately divided among the Raceway ( for children's play area improvement ), Rotary and the groups that help in selling the tickets at the facility.

In May, a donation cheque for $1500.00 was presented to Leduc Optimists from the Rotary Club of Nisku-Leduc for our efforts in fundraising. That money will be used for our programs and activities serving youth and the community at large.

Sincere THANKS to the Rotary Club for asking our club to be a part of that program.

HIGHWAY ROADSIDE SPRING CLEANUP COMPLETED

On the sunny morning of Saturday June 02nd, four members of the Leduc Optimist Club (Denise, Trevor, Bob and Ray) together with eleven members of the Dinner Optimist Club of Edmonton (Keivin, Brian, John, Ruby, Don, Desiree, Ron, Leona, plus new members Darcy, Doug and Marie) participated in the spring cleanup of a portion of Highway 2, south of Leduc.

Seven bags of trash and one of recycles were collected.....much better (less) than the previous fall cleanup.
Lunch at Boston Pizza followed to cap a worthwhile and enjoyable endeavour.

THANKS to all who attended and helped to tidy up our environment.

LEDUC OPTIMISTS ASSIST AT THE RODEO OF SMILES

On Thursday May 31st, three Leduc Optimist Club members (Denise, Bob and Ray) assisted at the Rodeo of Smiles held in conjunction with the Black Gold Pro Rodeo at the Leduc Recreation Centre. Special needs children were able to participate in, and enjoy, a number of simulated rodeo events and other fun activities. It was another successful and gratifying day for those involved. Many THANKS to all the organizers, sponsors and volunteers.
The poor lighting quality of this picture does not show the nifty cowboy hats that Optimist Denise, on the left, and Optimist Bob are wearing, but the spiffy bandanas and happy smiles are evident.

DONATION TO THE ROYAL CANADIAN LEGION LEDUC BRANCH 108

At our May 24th meeting, a donation cheque was presented to the Royal Canadian Legion Leduc Branch 108 to assist with their outdoor sign. The Legion is a non-profit organization providing honour and support to our Veterans and help to the Community at large.
Optimist Margaretha Adair, on the left, is shown presenting the funds to Legion member Mabel Armour.

June 14th Football Raffle Draw

The next regular meeting of the Black Gold Optimist Club of Leduc will take place on Thursday June 14th in the back section of Smitty's Restaurant Leduc. Those wishing to order food and eat should arrive at 7:00pm, or earlier, with the actual meeting to start at 7:30pm.


 PLEASE NOTE:  The meeting on June 14th will see the Football Raffle Draw take place.  All the tickets have been sold  We greatly appreciate the fantastic support for this project.  We also want to thank the Leduc & District Minor Football (L&DMFA) for all of their support and a representative will be at this meeting to accept a donation cheque.


There are only two more meetings before the July & August summer break when no meetings take place. Please make every effort to attend the remaining meetings. Guests and prospective new members are always welcome to attend.