President: Gale Haas 715-271-1844 Vice President: James McDonald Secretary: Etta McDonald Treasurer: Harold Snortheim Past President: Linda Soltis-Schroeder March, 2017 Hallie Optimist Club PO Box 3011 Eau Claire, WI 54702-3011 hallieoptimist@gmail.com Hallieoptimistclub.org Hallie Optimist Club News BOB RADANDT; AN OPTIMISTIC GUY WITH A CAN DO ATTITUDE Bob Radandt is one of those people who always has a smile for you. We asked him a few questions about what it is like to be an Optimist. Bob joined Hallie Optimist on July 28, 1992. Why did you join the Hallie Optimist Club? Because of John Van Beek. He lived next door and kept asking me to join. Prior to that I got to know the Optimist because of the snowmobile races they used to have across from the old town hall. They always asked to borrow my generator. What is your favorite event and why? Hooked on Fishing at Lake Hallie. The kids are so proud of the little fish they catch! I ve always gone to that event. I always weigh the fish and see how long they are. And these little kids come with minnows and they think they are whales. I get a kick out of that. What is your most notable accomplishment within the Optimist? Picking up the aluminum cans for so many years. I put out receptacles so the businesses could recycle the aluminum cans and would pick them up every week. We take those cans to Victor Spickler who always gave us a good rate. We use that money to help families of kids with cancer in the Chippewa Valley. (continued on page 8) OUR MISSION By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in kids. OPTIMIST CREED Promise Yourself- To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet. To make all your friends feel that there is something in them. To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. To think only of the best, to work only for the best and to expect only the best. To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile. To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.
GOLF SCRAMBLE AND GOLF BALL DROP SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 17 Meetings: Mom s Kitchen 3035 N Hastings Way, Eau Claire, WI 6:45 am Thursdays except Thanksgiving and the third Thursday of each month Third Thursday meeting - 5:45 pm at Hangar 54, 3800 Starr Ave, Eau Claire, WI. Board meetings are on the 2nd Thursday, 6 pm at the Hampton Inn, 12707 30th Ave, Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 Lake Hallie Golf and ACE Helicopters have teed off with the Hallie Optimist Foundation as major supporting sponsors of the Golf Scramble and Golf Ball Drop. The event is Saturday, June 17, 20176 at Lake Hallie Golf Course 2196 110th St, Chippewa Falls, WI. Registration includes 18 holes of golf with cart, special hole events, a picnic luncheon and social, and awards. Registrations can be completed online at hallieoptimistclub.org or by mail; see more information and registration on page 3. In collaboration with the Golf Scramble event, golf balls can be purchased from any Hallie Optimist Club member at $5 per ball or 5 for $20. A helicopter from ACE Helicopter will drop the golf balls at approximately 2 pm depending upon the weather, and prizes will be awarded to the balls landing closest to the target. Sponsorships are still available for this event. If you are interested in more information about making a tax deductible contribution contact Jodi Arriola at 715-379-8882. More information on page 3. The Hallie Optimist Foundation is the tax deductible 501 (c)(3) arm of the Hallie Optimist Club. Financial support received by the Foundation is used to help support youth activities funded by the Hallie Optimist Club including Scholarships to area Seniors for continuing their education after high school. 2
SPONSOR THE GOLF SCRAMBLE You can sponsor at any one of four levels from Hole In One $2500), Eagle ($1000), Birdie ($500) or Par($250). All levels include recognition in the event program, inclusion in our 2017 newsletters and website, and Golf Hole Sponsorship. Hole In One includes a major sponsor denotation, 2 foursome tournament team registrations, and 20 Golf Ball Drop raffle tickets. Eagle includes a major sponsor denotation, a foursome tournament team registration, and 15 Golf Ball Drop raffle tickets. Birdie includes 2 tailgate luncheons, and 10 Golf Ball Drop raffle tickets. Par includes 5 Golf Ball Drop raffle tickets. Call Jodi Arriola at (715) 379-8882 for more information. WISCONSIN UPPER MICHIGAN DISTRICT OPTIMIST JUNIOR GOLF TOURNAMENT Children ages 10 to 18 can compete in the Junior Golf Tournament sponsored by the Wisconsin Upper Michigan Optimist District on June 17 at Lake Hallie Golf Club, 2185 119th Street, Chippewa Falls, WI. Registration is from 9 to 10 am. Boys divisions are in ages 10-11, 12-13, 14-15, and 16-18. Girls divisions are in ages 10-12, 13-14, and 15-18. A limited number of golfers in each division will advance to the international championships provided they shoot the minimum qualifying score. Entry Fee is $50.00. Registration Deadline: June 3, 2017. Contact Galle Haas 715.271.1844 or Jim McDonald 715.829.1019 for more information. Registration can be found at wisconsinoptimist.org/ scholarships-programs. The Optimist International Junior Golf Championships is one of the largest and best-known junior golf tournaments in the world. Each year, more than 600 golfers participate in the Optimist Junior Golf Tournament. Optimists have been involved in the sport of junior golf for more than 30 years by holding local, regional and international tournaments. More than 5,000 golfers compete in official Optimist District qualifying tournaments. The best of these golfers, along with international golfers from around the globe, advance to the annual Optimist International Junior Golf Championships. Former champions and top finishers of the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships include Beth Bauer, Jonathan Byrd, Jason Day, Bill Haas, Brittany Lincicome, Jeff Overton, Stacy Prammanasudh and Jennifer Rosales. 3
SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS! Please help us get the word out about our community events. Support our sponsors! Would you like to become a sponsor? Ads are $120 per year for six ads. Contact Jim McDonald at 715-831-0680. BREAKFAST WITH THE EASTER BUNNY Enjoy an all you can eat pancake and sausage breakfast with applesauce, orange juice, coffee and milk and capture the excitement of your child when they meet the Easter Bunny! Cost is $6 for anyone more than 12 years old. Children 12 and under are free. Breakfast is served starting at 8 am and ends at 11 am. The Chippewa Fire District will be on hand for children to investigate the big trucks and equipment. Children leave with a big smile, full tummy, lots of smiles, and a balloon. Join us on Saturday, April 15 at the Lake Hallie Town Hall, 13033 30th Avenue, Chippewa Falls, WI. Bring your camera and your appetite. Funds raised go to support local youth programs. For more information contact: Gale Haas (715)271-1844 HALLIE OPTIMIST FOUNDATION GOLF SCRAMBLE REGISTRATION Individual Golfer: $75 Registration includes: Foursome: $280 18 holes of golf with cart Agenda: Registration 9-10 am 10 am Mail to: Online: Special Hole Events Picnic Luncheon: Brats, Burgers, Beans, Chips, Potato Salad, Cookies Awards Registration Shotgun Start Social and Luncheon to follow Silent Auction *Golf Ball Drop *Cash and other prizes Hallie Optimist Foundation PO Box 3011 Eau Claire, WI 54702 www.hallieoptimistclub.org Include this form along with entry fee. Include name, email and phone number of captain. Individual registration may be grouped into a foursome. Mail registration with check to Hallie Optimist Foundation PO Box 3011, Eau Claire, WI 54702. 1 Captain Phone: 2 Email: 3 4 4
HALLIE OPTIMIST CLUB DONATES TO BARRIER FREE PLAYGROUND Southview Elementary School in Chippewa Falls is raising funds for a new playground that will allow all children, no matter their abilities, to have fun! A $1000 donation from the Hallie Optimist Club will bring the playground one step closer to reality. The absorbent, foam like playground surface, ramps, activities, and hand grips, will make the playground and equipment easy for any child to navigate and play on. Below: Principal Sara Denure, Parent Teacher Organization member Carla Golden, with Hallie Optimist President Gale Haas. CALENDAR OF EVENTS 2016-2017 Halloween Party October 22, 4:30-6:30 pm Lake Hallie Town Hall Breakfast with Santa December 10, 8-11 am Lake Hallie Town Hall Scholarships for Graduating Seniors Essay Contest Due in January 2017 Breakfast with the Easter Bunny April 15, 8 11 am Lake Hallie Town Hall HALLIE OPTIMIST CLUB DONATES TO SPECIAL KID S DAY Hallie Optimists once again support Special Kid s Day with a donation of $500. Accepting the check from President Gale Haas are Tom Lueck and his son. Youth Appreciation April 29, 10-1 Micon Cinema Safety on Wheels: Bike Rodeo May 11, 3-5 pm Sam Davey School Golf Scramble and Golf Ball Drop June 17 Lake Hallie Golf Club Youth Fishing Event June 3, 9 noon Lake Hallie Sportsman s Club 5
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS New member Terri Hawkinson is joined by Vice President Jim McDonald, President Gale Haas, and Membership Chair John Van Beek. Terri works at the YMCA. Welcome Terri! New member Joel Clark is joined by his fiancé, Amanda. Joel is the manager at Hallie Walmart. Welcome Joel! New members Peggy Olevson and Cathy Finney are joined by President Gale Haas. Peggy is a student at CVTC. Cathy operates Joshua s Camp a vacation weekend for children with cancer and their families. Hallie Optimists support this camp for children with cancer and their family. 6
HOW YOU CAN HELP The work we do is done by volunteers. All the money we raise is returned to the community by donating to community organizations. The events we host are held so children have safe and fun activities. We work to bring out the best in youth, our communities and ourselves. You can help us reach these goals by becoming a member, partnering with us, or donating goods or funds to help with our events and fund raising. In the recent past we have donated $5000 to Hallie Youth Baseball, $3000 to Irvine Park, $1500 to Joshua s Camp, $500 to Special Kids Day and much more. Golf Scramble and Golf Ball Drop: Raises funds for $500 scholarships given to seniors who often have a GPA of 2.5 to 3.5. Halloween Party: A safe, supervised way for children to enjoy costumes, games, food, and music. Essay Contest: Children develop critical thinking and are eligible to advance to win scholarships. Youth Appreciation: Recognizes children in local school districts and awards them with a certificate, movie, treats, and a pizza party. Families are invited to attend. Safety on Wheels: Teaches children safe operation of bicycles, skateboard, and rollerblades. Two bicycles, helmets, and other safety equipment are raffled. A hot dog meal is served. Youth Fishing Event: Gets children and their families outside fishing. Prizes are raffled. A hot dog meal is served. Breakfasts with Santa and the Easter Bunny: A pancake and sausage breakfast gives children the chance to talk to Santa Claus or visit with the Easter Bunny. Children 12 and under are free. All others are $6. Newsletter: We keep the community informed by sending out the newsletter electronically to public and private schools in Altoona, Eau Claire, and Chippewa Falls. Our advertisers also receive printed copies. Business card advertisements are $120 for one year. How you can help: Sponsor a hole or donate a gift basket for our golf tournament. Donate money, supplies, entertainment, prizes, coupons, gift certificates. Purchase an advertisement in our newsletter. Join our organization and donate sweat equity to raise funds. What you get: Publicity at the event and in the next newsletter, links on our website, links on our Facebook page. Fun relationships with wonderful people. A great feeling knowing you helped to Bring Out the Best in Kids! 7
BOB RADANDT (CONT.) Mr. Spickler has been very supportive of the Optimist all the time. (Editor s note: Bob would never tell you, but he would usually raise $1000 per year.) What do you get out of being an Optimist? Doing something good for kids and helping them learn how to work together. When the kids learn these skills, it is better for the community they live in. What would you say to someone who is thinking about joining Hallie Optimist Club? It s a good, friendly, organization that does a lot for the youth in our community. If you would like to join this dynamic organization that is working hard to help children, contact John at 715-839-8739. SPEAKERS (Left) Tracey Samuelson, Mayo Clinic Orthopedic Triage Nurse, receives a thank you gift from President Gale Haas. Tracey connects us with families of children with cancer. We provide gas gift cards to these families. Money is raised through our aluminum can recycling program and change boxes at Culver s in Hallie, Altoona Family Restaurant, and Chippewa Family Restaurant. (Right) Ruby Gravrok,Eau Claire, is presented her Essay Contest First Place medal, check and certificate by Jim Reppert and President Gale Haas. Ruby s essay on the topic "Chasing Optimism in the Face of Challenges" now moves to the District Competition where the winner will be awarded a $2500 scholarship. Ruby is a student at Holy Family Home School. Robyn Kitchen, Chippewa Falls, won second place. Third place winner is Braden Dean, Eau Claire. They are students at Liberty Christian School. 8