Optimists at Work
Downtown Oktoberfest 2024
On Saturday September 21st, 2024, our club participated in the 2nd annual Downtown Oktoberfest. Our menu was revised slightly to include Pork Schnitzel and Oktoberfest Sausage along with the ever popular hamburgers, hotdogs and French Fries. Many Thanks to the Talbotville Optimists and our club members for their help and Jackpot Time for their ongoing financial support.
On Saturday September 21st, 2024, our club participated in the 2nd annual Downtown Oktoberfest. Our menu was revised slightly to include Pork Schnitzel and Oktoberfest Sausage along with the ever popular hamburgers, hotdogs and French Fries. Many Thanks to the Talbotville Optimists and our club members for their help and Jackpot Time for their ongoing financial support.
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On the morning of September 9th, 2024, 20 members from zone 10 clubs, partnered with the Lower Thames Valley Conservation Authority, in Southwold Township to plant 120 large stock trees in two Optimists parks located at 116 Optimist Lane, Talbotville. The weather was perfect as Optimist members, under the supervision of Lower Thames Staff planted these trees. A special thanks to the Talbot Trail Optimist Club for organizing this event. Optimist Club of St. Thomas #jackpottimestthomas
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St Thomas Minor Baseball Donation
On August 26th, 2024, we made a donation to St. Thomas Minor Baseball of $1000.00. In this picture from left to right are Optimist Jim Wakefield, Treasurer Grant Simmons, Secretary Chris McConnell, St. Thomas Minor Baseball President Diane Wakefield and Optimist President Ritchie Stewart. |
Big Brothers Big Sisters Donation
On August 20th, 2024, on behalf of the club, Optimist Treasurer Grant Simmons and Optimist Secretary Chris McConnell presented a $1,000 donation to Carolyn Johnson, Executive Director of Big Brother's Big Sisters of St Thomas Elgin. They use the money to help run programs for kids needing mentors in St. Thomas. They currently have 54 kids that need mentors. Optimist Club of St. Thomas Big Brothers Big Sisters of St. Thomas-Elgin @jackpottimestthomas |
Hospice Donation
On August 15, 2024, our St Thomas Optimist Club made our second $4,000 donation to Hospice of Elgin. This brings our total donation, over the past 2 years, to $8,000 working towards our $10,000 5 years commitment. Pictured from left to right are Larissa Caruana, Optimist Treasurer Grant Simmons, Optimist Secretary Chris McConnell, Charlotte Smith and Optimist President Ritchie Stewart. @stthomasoptimists Hospice of Elgin @stthomasjackpottime |
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On Sunday July 7th, our St Thomas Optimist Club assisted The Chief of Police - Community Inclusion Council with their summer BBQ in Pinafore Park. The aim of this event is to connect with the communities represented on our council and welcome new families and residents to St. Thomas.
Pictured is Optimist Secretary Chris McConnell, Optimist Jim Wakefield and Optimist President Elect Peter Tobola. |
CANADA DAY 2024
The St Thomas Optimists once again ran a successful Food booth at the Canada Day Celebrations at 1 Password Park. Many thanks go out to the volunteers that helped and Thanks for the support of Jackpot Time, St. Thomas, Ontario |
The St Thomas Optimists recently presented a cheque to support the newly established VOLT Hockey Canada. In the picture from left to right are President Ritchie Stewart, Secretary Chris McConnell, Treasurer Grant Simmons, Ethan Orchard - a member of the VOLT Hockey Team and parents Carrie and Steve Orchard. Thanks for the support of Jackpot Time, St. Thomas, Ontario
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Lions Club Car Show 2024 - Food Booth
On Sunday June 16th, 2024, the club members showed up in full force for our first BBQ of the year. Even though one of our two fryers "bit the dust" we kept on serving delicious bacon on a bun, hot dogs, hamburgers and Optimist Chris kept on frying. Thanks to Jackpot Time for your ongoing support. |
St. Thomas Optimist Softball Association
At our March 28th meeting, Erica Newman, President and Luc Bottineau, Practice Coordinator, from the St. Thomas Optimist Softball Association, were our guest speakers. After their presentation the Optimist Club of St. Thomas members presented them with a donation to support the youth in our community. A special thanks to JACKPOT TIME for making this donation possible. " |
OPTIMIST DAY February 1, 2024
As part of the Optimist Clubs in zone 10 celebration of Optimist day, Mayor Joe Preston read the Proclamation declaring February 1st as " Optimist Day" in St. Thomas. The Optimist International Flag was raised on the city hall's flag pole for two weeks. Special thanks to our Optimist International President Tracy Huxley for being with us today to celebrate this event in our year that we celebrate 100 years of Optimism in Canada. |
Big Brothers Big Sisters
The St Thomas Optimist Club presented a cheque to Big Brothers Big Sisters to support their agency and kids all year long. l-r Optimist Treasurer Grant Simmons, President Ritchie Stewart and Secretary Chris McConnell made this presentation to BBBS Board Vice President John Cosby at their office this week. od Bank Donation
On December the 19th. In 2023, 289 items were delivered to the food bank. President Ritchie Stewart , President Elect Peter Tobola, Secretary Chris McConnell presented the items to Karen McDade Manager of Public Relations and Administration |
Hospice of Elgin
At our meeting on January 25th, we made our second $2,000 annual donation, of a $10,000 commitment over 5 years, to the Hospice of Elgin. The big cheque from left to right is Treasurer Grant Simmons, Dr. John Hofuis, President Ritchie Stewart, Dr. Bob Jones and Secretary Chris McConnell. The small cheque from left to right Treasurer Grant Simmons, Dr. John Hofuis, Dr. Bob Jones and President Ritchie Stewart. 
Bravery Beads
On November 18th, 2023 at the SWONT District 1st. Quarter Board conference, President Elect Peter Tobola of the Optimist Club of St. Thomas, presents to Cassie Hartoon, chairperson for Childhood Health & Wellness a donation for Bravery Beads. |
Destination Church Donation
The Destination Church School Lunch Program in St. Thomas provides more than 100 healthy lunches every day for kids. To help celebrate Optimist Day by performing a deed of kindness, the Optimist Club of St. Thomas donated to this program on February 1st. 2024 after the Optimist International flag was raised and the " Optimist Day" proclamation was read at the steps of city hall this morning by Mayor Joe Preston. Right to left: Ritchie Stewart President, Jim Clark Pastoral Care leader of Destination Church, Grant Simmons treasurer, Chris McConnell secretary, Bob Jackson , Zone 10 Lieutenant Governor, Optimist International President, Tracey Huxley. Sleep in Heavenly Peace
On the 1st. Quarter Board Conference on November 18 2023, Lieutenant Governor Bob Jackson and President Elect Peter Tobola of the Optimist Club of St. Thomas, presented nine twin size kids sheets sets to celebrate the 100 years of Optimism in Canada project. SWONT District presented over 100 kids bed sets to representatives from Sleep in Heavenly Peace Windsor. |
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June Rose Callwood Donation
At the June Rose Callwood Public School, Carolyn Breninck, President of the Home and School Association watches on as Grant Simmons presents a donation for their nutrition program to Trina Livingstone, Elementary Administrative Secretary. Both of these donations to Christmas Care and June Rose Callwood Public School were made in the last week of November to support the children and their families during the Christmas Season. |
Sleep Kits
The Retired Teachers of Ontario District 41 Elgin held its Christmas gathering and luncheon on December 6th. Part of this group's activities supports the children in our community at this time of year by providing sleep kits. Our club was invited this this luncheon to show their appreciation for our yearly donations to this worthwhile project |
The Optimist Club of St. Thomas took on the challenge of collecting 100 non perishable food items for the St. Thomas Elgin Food Bank to celebrate 100 years of Optimism in Canada. Members brought their donated items to meetings in November and December. From left to right, Secretary Chris McConnell, Treasurer Grant Simmons, Lieutenant Governor Bob Jackson, Optimist Earl Taylor, President Elect Peter Tobola
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Free Skating
Optimist Club of St. Thomas sponsored free public ice skating at the Joe Thornton Centre on Sunday January 7, 2024 to celebrate 100 years of Optimism in Canada. It was hoped to have 100 skaters at this event. Approximately 190 children and adults were on hand. Some as young as two were skating for the first time. |
Salvation Army Kettles
Optimist Club of St. Thomas sponsored free public ice skating at the Joe Thornton Centre on Sunday January 7, 2024 to celebrate 100 years of Optimism in Canada. It was hoped to have 100 skaters at this event. Approximately 190 children and adults were on hand. Some as young as two were skating for the first time. |
Christmas Care donation
Optimist Club of St. Thomas Treasurer Grant Simmons presented a cheque to Pat Connor, and Andreana Collins, Coordinators of the St. Thomas Christmas Care. |
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37th Annual Santa Claus Parade
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Santa Claus Parade Instruction Meeting
A great turnout at the November 8th, 2023 Santa Claus Parade instructional meeting to get their entry numbers, receipts and to listen to the rules on how make the parade safe & fun for all. |
Congratulations to Kevin Kernohan
At our January 11, 2024 meeting Optimist Al Holt, and President Ritchie Stewart presented Kevin Kernohan with his Life Member certificate. Kevin became an Optimist on May 26 2006. Since then Kevin has been involved in all aspects of club activities and represents the spirit of Optimism. |
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Christmas Shoppe
The St Thomas Optimists are happy to support The Elgin / St Thomas Christmas Shoppe once again with a $1,000 donation on October 12, 2023. From left to right Secretary Chris McConnell, Treasurer Grant Simmons, Christmas Shoppe Chair Judy Thorner, President Ritchie Stewart and Optimist Al Thorner. |
2023 CHILDRENS FESTIVAL
Some great shots from the September 16, 2023 Optimist Children's Festival at Optimist Park. |
The St. Thomas Optimist Softball League held their year end tournament in the co-ed squirt, atom, pee-wee and bantam divisions at the Doug Tarry baseball complex from August the 18th to August the 20th, 2023. Congratulations to the winning teams and the league executive for organizing this successful event.
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HOSPICE DONATION
HOSPICE DONATION The St Thomas Optimists present a $2,000 cheque to the Hospice of Elgin St Thomas. This the 1st installment of the clubs 5 year $10,000 commitment. Funds are earmarked for the children's play area inside the new hospice. Pictured from left to right is Carrie Ford - Campaign Director, Charlotte Smith - Donor Relations, Chris McConnell - Secretary, Ritchie Stewart-President Elect and Grant Simmons Treasurer. |
DUDE RANCH BBQ
The St Thomas Optimists helped at the the Big Brothers and Big Sisters barbecue on Saturday July 22, 2023 at the dude ranch. It was a great event with even better weather! |
LIONS CLUB CAR SHOW
The Optimist Club of St. Thomas had their food trailer at the June 18th, 2023 Lion's Club Father Day Classic Car Show at Pinafore Park on Father's Day. Money raised from our food trailer today will support our youth in our community and OI programs. #stthomasoptimists #bringoutthebestinkids |
At our May 25th Optimist Meeting, the St Thomas Optimist Club presented a $500 cheque to The Neighbourhood Outreach for Kids Elgin to help them in their goal to Build stronger, healthier neighbourhoods and communities where children and youth can develop to their full potential. Pictured - Ritchie Stewart, Incoming Lt Governor Bob Jackson, Treasurer Grant Simmons, NOK Executive Director Bev Fellows, NOK President Jody Lorch and Lt Governor Bill Lee.
https://www.neighbourhoodoutreachforkids.com/ |
Donation to Christmas Care
The Optimist Club of St Thomas's donation to the St. Thomas Christmas Care was presented to volunteer Pat Connor by Treasurer Grant Simmons. This will help to support the children and their families in need during the Christmas season. |
Splash n Boots
The Optimist Club of St. Thomas sponsored the Track to the Mural Festival children's Splash N Boots concert held on Saturday July 16 in downtown St. Thomas. It was great to see the kids and their parents take part in the interactive event. |
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Nostalgia Nights 50/50 Draw Winner
Optimist Greg Johnston presents Bernadette Guite of London - winner of the July 9th, 2022 Nostalgia Nights 50/50 draw, with $1,671 in cash. Congratulations! |
2022 Fathers Day Lion Car Show
The clubs first large event to get the food trailer back in shape and operating at full potential. Thanks to the many club members who attended - starting with "Bacon on a Bun" at 6am and working through to 4pm. Of course cleanup takes another few days to get the trailer cleaned up! |
Ritchie Stewart - 2022 Life Member Award
Optimist President Kevin Kernohan (left) presents Optimist Ritchie Stewart with a Life Member Award. This award is presented to Optimist members who go above and beyond in their Optimist volunteering to support our goal to "Bring Out The Best in Kids". |
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Food Booth
For the first time in over 2 years, due to the Covid-19 pandemic shutdown, we were able to get our food booth into operational condition for the May 21 - 22, 2022 St Thomas Gun Club competitions. Thanks to the many Optimist members who were eager to help. |
Light The Park 2021
On Saturday November 27th, 2021 the St Thomas Optimists met at Pinafore Park and installed hundreds of Christmas Lights in the trees. As a joint effort, 7 other service clubs, St Thomas Chamber of Commerce, St Thomas Downtown Development Board, Family and Children Services and Entegrus, came together to install even more lights throughout the park |
Central Elgin Collegiate Institute
On May 12th. 2021, a donation was presented to Central Elgin Collegiate Institute for their Environmental Leadership Club Outdoor Classroom Project. Representatives from the clubs from Zone 10 that contributed were on hand to present the donation to Laura and Chris Underhill, co-supervisors of the project. |
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Thanks to these masked St Thomas Optimists volunteering their time at the Salvation Army Kettles 2020
2019 Santa Claus Parade
Saturday November 16th, 2019 was a beautiful night for a Santa Claus Parade. So many Optimists helped make this parade a joy for all St Thomas residents. And many thanks to the fabulous entries |
2019 Salvation Army Kettle Drive
Thanks to the many Optimist members who volunteered at the 2019 Salvation Army Kettle Drive. These photos are from the thank you banquet held on January 23rd, 2020 |
February 4th, 2021 is Optimist Day
Curling 2020
A great time was had by all at the February 15, 2020 Talbot Teen Centre Fundraising Curling Bonspiel |
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On Saturday May 27 2019 Ritchie Stewart President of the Optimist Club of St.Thomas was present at the 741 Air Cadet Squadron's 56 Review held at PCI. A donation was made to the Air Cadets before the event.
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April 8, 2019 Zone Meeting
An amazing turnout of dedicated Optimists resulted in a great meeting held at the St Anne's Centre hosted by the St Thomas Optimists. Awards were handed out to many deserving Optimist members for their distinguished work. See www.stthomasoptimists.ca for full details. |
District Chair Ruth Stevens presented Zone 10 club awards to St Thomas, Talbot Trail, Port Stanley and Talbotville Club President's at SWONT District 2nd Quarter board meeting at Port Edward on Saturday February 23, 2019 |
Salvation Army Kettle Drive
At the February 11th, 2019 Optimist Meeting, Salvation Army Captain Nyree and David Bond of the Salvation Army were our guest speakers and presented certificates of appreciation to Optimist members for volunteering in the 2018 Kettle Drive. |
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On Feb 7th, 2019 Optimist Treasurer Grant Simmons and Optimist President Ritchie Stewart presented a $500 donation to the 1st Elgin Baden Powell Scouting Association for the purchase of all weather tents.
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On Friday February 8th, 2019 Optimist Bob Jackson and Optimist President Ritchie Stewart presented a $285 donation to the London Children's Hospital Miracle Mission Radio Telethon, a donation that exceeded the clubs $250 goal. |
On January 28th, 2019 the St Thomas Optimist Members held their meeting at the STEAM Centre. The club is proud to support their goal to inspire children and youth to be creative by providing resources to design, build and develop essential skills such as critical thinking and collaboration. A donation was presented to fulfill their goal.
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Past President Optimist Bob Ward received the "Rev'd Up for Optimisim" Award for his outstanding achievement as past Chair of the Optimist Santa Claus Parade at the Feb 6th Zone Meeting. Presenter's Optimist President Ritchie Stewart and Governor Cheryl Bolton
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NEW OPTIMISTS WELCOME
The St Thomas Optimists welcomed 3 new members at the April 9, 2018 NOW Meeting |
Curling 2018
A great time was had by all at the January 13, 2018 Talbot Teen Centre Fundraising Curling Bonspiel |
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Optimists in Action
Working the food trailer BBQ at the Father's Day Lions Club Car Show in Pinafore Park on Sunday June 18, 2017 |
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Children's Festival
The Children's Festival is a bi-annual event that is held at the Optimist Park at 330 Chestnut Street between Highview Avenue and Manor Road. |
Santa Claus Parade
The 2017 Optimist Santa Claus Parade will be held in Downtown St Thomas on Saturday November 18, 2017 beginning at 6pm |
Railway City Road Races
Our Optimist Club helps to provide refreshments to participant's taking part in the annual Railway City Road Races |
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Nostalgia Nights Car Show
Our Optimist Club helps at the Nostalgia Nights Car Show in Downtown St Thomas to assist with parking cars and selling 50/50 tickets to raise funds for comment events. |
Curling 2017
Our Optimist Club had 4 member teams participate in the 2017 bonspiel. All had a great time raising funds for the TTC programs |
Cooking Teams Rather than having our twice monthly meetings catered we have 4 member cooking teams who produce amazing meals at an affordable price |
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Inn Out of The Cold
Our club helps provide hearty meals to those who need help through the winter months |
Stuff The Bus
In September, cooperation with the Staples Stuff the Bus program, our Optimist Club hosts a fundraiser BBQ |
Bike Safety Rodeo
In cooperation with the St Thomas Police our Optimist Club meets at the Confederation Community hub to teach local kids road safety and to make a few bike repairs |
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2017 Optimist Zone Essay Winners
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Our club sponsored the CharACTer Curtain Calls, a not-for-profit charitable organization which presented "Willy Wonks Jr "to a sold out audience on May 5th and 6th, 2017 at the Port Stanley Theatre. Thanks to Optimist Scott Shakir for helping with this successful event
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