MARTIN OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL

SPONSORED ACTIVITIES

Martin Optimists ARE Friends of Youth

The following activities are ones that are currently being sponsored by the Martin Chapter. New activities are sponsored each year and the Club is responsive to requests from various organizations who share the Optimist mission which focuses on the well being of youth

Oratorical Contest

The Martin Club has a tradition of supporting award-winning orators as pictured in the occupanying photograph. The contest is generally open to boys and girls in junior high school or high school. Each student prepares his or her four to five minute oration. The oration is judged on poise, content, delivery, presentation and overall effectiveness. This year, the Martin Club entrant Matt Brewer won at his age level and went on to represent us in Jackson, Tennessee. Matt is an 8th grader at Martin Middle School and the son of Thomas and Sue Brewer of Sharon.

Essay Contest

This past year the Martin Optimists provided support to the "Keep Kids Drug Free" Campaign at the Martin Middle School. Essay and poster contest winners were given Savings Bonds. Winners and their teachers visited the club and the students read their winning essays. The Campaign was sponsored by the Martin Optimist Club, the Memphis Chapter of the Public Relations Society of America, and The UTM Public Relations Student Society of America.

Bicycle Rodeo/Safety

Annually the Martin Club sponsors a Bicycle Rodeo during the Martin Soybean Festival. Ribbons, trophies, and prizes are given in five age divisions: 5 to 7, 8 to 10, 11 to 13, and 14 to 15. Contestants are evaluated in five skill areas including: Maneuvering. Circle Riding. Balancing. Braking., and Slow Race. All riders are urged to wear a safety helmet.

Soccer

Martin Optimists have provided support to both the Westview boy's and girl's soccer teams and the City of Martin Soccer Recreational Progam. At Westview, the Club has assisted the local high school boy's and girl's soccer teams with donations to help purchase uniforms and team supplies. The soccer programs at Westview High School have been very successful with both the boys' and girls' team averaging 25 to 30 players each. These programs allow many students to particiapte in a sport who would not otherwise be able to participate. In addition, the club has sponsored a youth soccer team each year through the City of Martin Recreational Soccer Program. The program has been administered under the AYSO Program for the past several years and has recently begun as a Tennessee Soccer Association Program. The City soccer program averages 350 youth each year.

Group Home Christmas Support

Beginning this past Christmas, the Martin Chapter has played "Santa" by purchasing gifts and wrapping them for each of the three group homes in Martin. The Homes under the auspices of Community Development Services provide a home atmosphere and living conditions for special needs adults from the surrounding region.

Santa's Village

Every December, volunteers from the Martin Chapter assist with Santa's Village, a major month-long fund raising event for the community to support community-based charitable organizations. Martin Optimists serve as greeters and ushers throughout the month to assist in gathering canned-goods donated by the thousands of persons attending the event and which will later be distributed to those needing such support. Additionally, members greet those attending the event and help those needing seating assistance and those with special needs.

Community Mentoring Program

Beginning this year, the Chapter has provided support the the Community Mentoring Program. The Program matches adults with elementary and middle school age students in Weakley County who have been identified by faculty as likely to benefit from a mentor. The committment for each adult participating in the program is to meet for one hour weekly for the entire school year with the child involved in the Program.

Additional Activities Supporting Community Service

Martin Optimists are also involved in: A Spring Gospel Sing at the University of Tennessee at Martin (UTM); A Pancake Breakfast for the Martin Parent Teacher Organization; Special Olympics; Healthy Start at UTM; and Christmas Projects for the needy with Intermedia--a local cable TV provider.