Club News
Club News Charlotte and Weddington, North Carolina, Optimist Clubs by John Laurents, President Charlotte Optimist Club
The Charlotte and Weddington Optimists Clubs undertook a campaign to raise $18,000 to provide 900 brand new coats for every student at Two little girls share excitement over realizing they have the Huntingtowne Farms same coat. Elementary School in Charlotte, North Carolina. The Optimists partnered with Operation Warm, a national non-profit, serving communities for 20 years, which brings warmth, confidence, and hope to disadvantaged children through the gift of new winter coats. In 2019, Operation Warm’s partners gifted coats to nearly 400,000 children. Operation Warm provided the marketing materials and a donation website that made it easy for members and friends to make an online donation. The fundraising kicked off on October 1 and in less than 90 days, the goal of $18,000 was reached. Optimists and friends and family in addition to members of the school’s PTA, conducted a coat party, on December 10. The Optimists and volunteers were overwhelmed by the stories, smiles and tears, of the students, most of whom lacked a warm coat. How did this happen? It was an accidental happenstance. At an Optimist luncheon, earlier in the year, a young lady showed up looking for the Rotary Club. President John Laurents responded that she 18 • Optimist
had found the Optimist Club. The young woman replied that she had planned to join the Rotary Club for lunch. John invited her to join the club for lunch. It was Temeka Brantley, a regional community partnership representative for Operation Warm. John invited Temeka to present the program at an upcoming luncheon meeting, and the board decided that this would be an extremely worthy project. The Weddington Club enthusiastically offered to partner with the Charlotte Club to help reach the fundraising goal and participate in the coat party. This year, the Charlotte Optimists will help the Weddington Optimists raise money to purchase brand new coats for a worthy elementary school in their community. It was meant to be.
Palmetto Optimist Club of South Carolina by Beth Abruzzino, Club President
The Palmetto Optimist Club held its fifth Battle Buddies Obstacle Course in Sumter, South Carolina. Battle Buddies is a children’s obstacle course that combines the physical fitness aspect of the Childhood Health and Wellness program with the Respect for Law program. Local law enforcement members assist the kids as a metaphor for how law enforcement can assist people through the obstacles in life while also allowing kids to enjoy fitness. Obstacles are created or purchased by members, including ladder walls, low crawls, balance-beam planks, tunnels and more. The obstacles themselves are inspired by military obstacle courses but painted in colorful primary colors making them friendly for kids. The event in November was held at a county sports pavilion and the obstacle course spanned across two
