Optimist Club of Deerfield Activities

Winter Activities

Basketball Tournament for Caruso and Shepard Middle Schools - sponsored by the Optimist Club.  Club members act as timekeepers, scorers and spotters, assisting the Deerfield Park District.

Say No to Drugs Poster Contest - The Optimist Club volunteers to assist the Deerfield Police Department with a drug awareness poster context.  Students in the Deerfield grade schools create posters urging kids to stay away from drugs.  The posters are judged by the Optimist Club members and the Deerfield D.A.R.E. officers

Spring Activities

Deerfield Scholars - The Optimist Club of Deerfield recognizes Deerfield High School seniors who have achieved the highest grade point average.  At graduation, each student receives a medallion commemorating his or her attainment.  A favorite teacher, selected by each student, presents the medallion.

East Egg Hunt - the Optimist Club of Deerfield organizes an Easter Egg Hunt for children in elementary grades.  There are usually 200 or more children at this event.  Donated prizes and candies are strewn on the Jewett Park lawn.  Within five minutes, after the starting whistle, the children have collected every piece of candy and all the prizes.  An Optimist member acts as a costumed Easter Bunny for photos with the children.

Scholarship Program - The Optimist Club of Deerfield provides up to $10,000 in scholarships to senior students who have exhibited a high level of volunteer community service.  Applicants write an essay explaining their volunteer service and indicate how the community has benefited.  Optimist Club members judge the essays and present scholarships to the winners.  Click on Scholarship Application.

Special Essay Contest - The Optimist Club of Deerfield, in coordination with the North Suburban Special Education District, hosts a banquet for special education kids who have completed an essay on a topic provided by the Optimist Club.  The essays are judged by Optimist member teams.  Certificates are presented to all participating students and prizes, provided by the Optimist Club, are presented to those students that submitted the "Best of Class" essays.  This is a wonderful way to recognize students that rarely get a pat on the back for their successes.

Youth Appreciation Night - The Optimist Club of Deerfield contacts all schools and organization in Deerfield for nominations of those middle school and high school students that contribute more volunteer hours of community service than is normally required of them.  Each nominee receives an official invitation for the student and immediate family to attend the Youth Appreciation Night.  An awards ceremony, with a prominent speaker, is held at the Deerfield High school auditorium, where at least 400 students are individually presented with an award plaque.  The ceremony is followed by a dessert reception

Summer Activities

Family Days - The Optimist Club members volunteer to sell food, ride and game tickets for both the firewords on July 3 and the Family Days Festival on July 4 in Deerfield.  Click on

Camp One Step - "Camp One Step at a Time" is a summer camp, in Williams Bay, Wisconsin, for approximately 300 children who are in various phases of cancer treatment and / or recovery.  Optimist Club members volunteer one Saturday in July to spend at the camp, playing games with the children, providing donated prizes to the game winners, and assisting with a luncheon barbecue for the children.

Fall Activities

Back to School Voucher Program - The Oprimist Club of Deerfield works through the West Deerfield Township government to provide vouchers for the purchase of back to school clothes, shoes, supplies, and haircuts for disadvantaged children in Deerfield.

Mudfest - Optimist Club members assist the Deerfield Park District with a Mudfest Volleyball Competition for all high school students.  The Optimist Club provides complimentary food and beverages for the students.

Halloween Hoopla - The Optimist Club members volunteer to assist the Deerfield Park District with setup and management of the Haunted House.  They also sell food during the Haunted House and the Halloween Hoopla

Christmas Tree Sale - All Optimist Club members participate in the Christmas Tree Sale (the only Optimist Club fundraiser) which is held from the Friday after Thanksgiving until two days befor Christmas.  Proceeds from this sale are used to fund the yearly activies of the Optimist club.

Organizations that Receive Optimist Support include:

  • Burn Camp

  • Canter Camp

  • Center for Enriched Living

  • Deerfield Park District Foundation

  • Deerfield Historical Society

  • Drug Awareness (DARE)

  • Family Network

  • Food Pantry

  • NSSRA

  • Parents University

  • Student Government Day
   
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