A
time when the club asks the community to join us in showing respect and appreciation
to the Police and Fire Departments for the contribution they make to the community
and our youth. This is a great opportunity for everyone in the community to
serve as a positive role model for our children.
A special time when club members join with a group
of youth to enjoy a day of fishing and fellowship at one of the local lakes.
For some, this is the first opportunity they have had to go fishing.
Seeing the look on the faces of the children is something that,
although it can't adequately be described with words, seems to make this activity
effortless as well as memorable for all involved.
Twice a year we get together with the Orange County Volunteers for Youth to enjoy a joint activity, such as an afternoon of ice skating at the Triangle SportsPlex in Hillsborough. Volunteers for Youth is an organization that pairs at-risk children with adult mentors.
Whether
from bicycle, bus, or car, each year one of every four children in our country
receives accident-related medical attention.
Our annual bicycle rodeo, held every year in conjunction with the Carolina
P.A.L.S. (Pediatric Attention, Love, and Support) program at UNC, teaches the
children of our community the skills to be safe bicycle riders on our increasingly
busy streets. The rodeo allows the kids to test themselves in a variety of skills
on a pre-determined course. We end the activities by awarding two bicycles and
other bike-related gifts funded by our club and donated by local bicycle merchants
- always a big hit with the children.
Committed to the cultural advancement of our children, we take various youth groups to the Children's Concerts provided by the North Carolina Symphony. Following the symphony, the children are treated to lunch at McDonalds.
This contest gives children under the age of 16 the chance to voice their opinion on a selected topic. First conducted in 1928, the contest now awards $159,000 annually in scholarships to winners around the country. The winning boy and girl in our district will each be awarded a $1,500 scholarship.
Located in Lake Waccamaw, North Carolina, this
home provides a safe and nurturing environment for children who have been removed
from an unsuitable home environment. In addition to providing financial support,
we invite the children to Chapel Hill for a special activity, lunch, and the
opportunity to get to know the children.
We also engage in a number of fundraising activities like Apple Chill, FestiFall, and partnering with other area Optimist Clubs in joint fundraising efforts. These include working an ice cream booth at the North Carolina State Fair, and selling admission tickets at the annual Tar Heel Regatta.