In the United States there are many service organizations staffed by volunteers who work with children and youth. One of these service organizations is Optimist International that has over 2000 clubs that have direct involvement with youth activities. Our area, Southeast Pennsylvania, is part of their Atlantic Central District with more than 100 local clubs spanning three states: Southern Manhattan in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania. One of these local clubs is the Valley Forge Optimist Club (VFOC) and its President is LaVera Seymour (LaVera is the third personality of this web site's personalities script).
You have seen LaVera, and her daughter Promise, as they attended their first Israeli dance session. This was a very non serious, carefree excursion. But, on a more serious note are LaVera’s activities heading this group of volunteers. If the JavaScript programming that powers this website is doing its job, you should be seeing pictures around the perimeter of your computer screen showing the various activities that this club is involved with on an annual basis. It is quite amazing when you realize the scope of what is being done given that almost everyone involved has a full time job, is a volunteer and is involved in other community activities
Let's give an example, and this would be one of many. The Valley Forge Optimist club sponsors three youth clubs in the Valley Forge area centered around an elementary school, a junior high and the senior high school in the Upper Merion Area School District. The club in the junior high, designated as the Junior Optimists, has 300 members who are students of this school. Every year busses are chartered and many of these students are given a daylong trip to Harrisburg to show them how their State Government works. The trip includes a tour of the Capitol building, the Pennsylvania Museum and a visit with their state representative and state senator. This is just one of many activities that are sponsored or co-sponsored by the Valley Forge Optimist Club.
The members of the “Alpha club” attend Roberts Elementary school in Wayne. The Alpha club members organize their own service projects as well as various fun activities such as a pumpkin decorating event in the recent past.
The “Octagon Club” in the Upper Merion Area high school conducts more adult centered service projects including volunteering to spend time with the children of battered women in Laurel House, childhood cancer programs and fund raising for other causes.
The Valley Forge Optimist Club conducts many projects throughout the year that provide opportunities for local youth to perform at a high level. The VFOC runs an annual essay contest recognizing the top three winners with medals, small cash awards and the opportunity for the winning essay to compete for a $5000 scholarship. The local Optimist Club also supports good government and conducts an annual Respect for Law dinner in May. The recipient of the respect for law award is a citizen, police officer or a member of the legal profession. This year’s winner is Montgomery County District Attorney Risa Fermin. So it is not just youth activities that are in focus here. The Valley Forge Optimist club recently held a chili cooking contest with proceeds being used to support the clubs projects.
One highly anticipated annual event is the trout rodeo held in partnership with the Township of Upper Merion. Each year, the pond behind the township building is stocked with trout from the Stony Creek Anglers Association, located in Norristown. Kids less than 15 are eligible to fish on the opening day of trout season (April 2, 2011, for this year). All kids are given free bait and get to pick a fishing related prize at the end of the event. The boy and girl in two age groups that catch the biggest fish receive special prizes. Many of the optimist club members lend their expertise by coaching the kids on fishing techniques. Food and snacks are provided by the club for the participants and a fun time is had by all.
Perhaps you might be interested in learning more about this service organization whose motto is “Bringing out the Best of Youth”. LaVera extends an invitation to all Israeli Dancers to come to one of the club’s events and help her club support and encourage youth activities of all kinds. The Valley Forge Optimist club has a web site at http://www.valleyforgeoptimist.org for more information.