West Flint Optimist Newsletter -March 8, 2018

David Simancek, Director for Child & Community Development at Swartz Creek Schools, spoke to the Club this morning about his transition from Mathematics teacher through Assistant Principal to his current position and programs he oversees: the Child Development Center, child care and pre-K programming, community education and academic/community linkages fall under Dave’s area of interest. The “Backpack Program” our Club has supported and worked with furnishes weekend food for 24 children per week per school throughout the school year, costing only $100/child, and has been expanded to 5 schools from the original 2 relatively smoothly because of “assembly line” efficiency. The THREADS program provides age-, size-, and socially-appropriate clothing through their closet at CAGE, which is now under the administration of SC Schools. While leasing to the original owners for weekend “hoops” continues, new ventures like an indoor free Walking Club (noon – 2:30pm), archery tournaments, and “Veterans Wall of Honor” (open to all community veterans and families ) continue to develop. (Check these links for additional information about the Veteran’s Wall of Honor https://optimistsinaction.com/wp-content/uploads/SC_Veterans_Wall_of_Honor.pdf , Donor opportunities https://optimistsinaction.com/wp-content/uploads/SC_Veteran_Donor_Form.pdf  , and Honoree Nomination https://optimistsinaction.com/wp-content/uploads/SC_Veteran_Application.pdf .)

Lieutenant Governor ( and West Flint Club member) Jeff Dennings is on the Swartz Creek Community Missions Board, attended their meeting Tuesday, and expects to be  featured in the upcoming issue of the local news publication (proudly sporting Optimist logo).

Joe Bushey is overseeing the Oratorical Contest this year and is in need of Judges for the March 26th event in Room 509 at Swartz Creek High School, starting at 10:45 a.m.. Please get in touch with Joe if you are available for service. (We are in hopes that Geri Poag from Toastmasters will be helping out, too.) Winners of the Oratorical Contest will be attending our Club meeting on the 29th, and Final competition will be at the May 11-12 Optimist District Conference (info here), where Jeff Dennings will be preparing for his new role as Assistant Governor and Jack Proffitt will be training for Lieutenant Governor.