Proudly Honoring and Remembering
It’s been too long since we’ve been able to gather and remember as a group. We are so glad to be back and next year we’ll bring more candy for the kids!
Being the Easter Bunny
It’s that time of year when we get together and assemble Easter baskets to be given out to kids in need. We want every kid to have a great holiday and feel that they’re important.
Help Us Help Kids!
We're trying to raise money and you could win money!!! It’s only $5 to enter the raffle and you could win $5,000–pretty nice return! This donation will help us help kids and provide school supplies, Christmas family gifts, Easter baskets, veterans homeless bags, food pantry supplies, and other charitable stuff.
This link should already have Paragon Optimist Club selected as the charity, but please make sure it does. http://piggestraffleever.com/?c=POC
There’s at least 3 main prizes:
GRAND PRIZE: $5,000 Cash
SECOND PRIZE: $2,500 Cash
THIRD PRIZE: Cincinnati Get-Away Experience ($1,500 in vouchers).
Thanks in advance for all you help. This will help us help local kids and give back to our community.
Well, We Are at It Again!
Each year the Paragon Optimist Club makes Easter baskets for deserving kids. The age range is from infants to preteen. We make any where from 100 to 150 baskets. One group needed the baskets earlier than usual. So we made 30 baskets.
A fun time was had selecting the stuffed animal, book, toys and candies that each basket held. It was hard not to eat the candy, especially the chocolate. (It's not like when you sneak some out of your kid's basket.)
We cannot wait to complete the rest. Shout out to Trish, Janet, Gloria, JoAnn and Pat.
Pat B.
School Days, School Days. Dear Old Golden Rule Days.
Many of the older generation heard this song when it was the beginning of the school year.
Many parents and children dread the beginning of the school year because it is hard to buy all the needed supplies.
When you have job loss, reduced work hours or loss of housing, school supplies are a hard items to buy. Once again the Paragon Club bought school supplies to donate.
This year we chose to donate the supplies to St Ann School.
The items donated are as follows:
49 packs of index cards,
260 pencils, 137erasers,
142 notebooks,
25 paper towels,
19 disinfecting wipes,
179 pens,
1 box storage bags,
17 packs of markers,
47 binders,
92 boxes of crayons,
129 glue sticks,
29 glue bottles,
15 packs of colored pencils,
160 mechanical pencils,
113 highlighters,
13 pencil cases,
4 rulers,
312 pocket folders,
5 scissors,
35 packs of dry erase markers,
33 pencil sharpeners,
14 boxes of tissues,
26 glue bottles,
60 composition notebooks,
80 mechanical pencils and
2 bottles of hand sanitizer.
Pat B
Because We Want to Help – 1st Quarter
During this time of isolation, it is hard for clubs that do service, to take any action. Schools are closed or not allowing visitors. Physical items cannot be donated to shelters because of the contamination. We, the members of the Paragon Optimist Club have been able to do some activities. We have not been able to do our usual fun activities, but hopefully as 2021 opens more, we can be back too normal.
Pat B
What a year it has been. New ways of life due to COVID, loss of friends and loved ones, keeping a positive outlook and pushing through adversity. With all this going on Paragon perseveres in continuing our support of those less fortunate. Thanks to member generosity and help from our shopping elves we provided Christmas for eight children. Fairfield Optimist and Paragon Optimist clubs handed gifts out together to families. Santa was there with his elf. Parents and kids loved it. Santa had each child pick a gift to open. Sheer delight on their faces ripping the paper and excited to see what Santa brought them. Masks couldn't hide the smiles and appreciation from parents and grandparents. Not only did we provide for the kids we helped families forget their hardships for a little while. We are an amazing club and I wish everyone a safe and healthy 2021.
Paula B
For several years we have assisted Trinity Lutheran Church in Mt. Healthy with their community outreach program "Feed Your Neighbor." Normally we purchase, cook and serve healthy hot meals to neighbors seated in the building, and then helped clean up. Since the money was donated by members at our meetings and all our meetings are now virtual thanks to COVID-19, we now purchase food paid for by the church. On January 28, we cooked, packaged and bagged it. Church members then distribute it safely to the waiting families. We still cleaned up whatever mess we made. We serve between 80-130 meals each time to community families. We've been told that our meals are some of the best they get. While they miss, sitting in a warm church with others and being served piping hot meals, they are still very appreciative of the service.
Trish C
In the next few months, we will be working on several activities. We are working with the local schools to have fourth graders write an essay for our annual 4th Grade Essay Contest where winners receive prizes. We are collecting, sorting and filling Easter baskets to be delivered to those in need. We are also busy collecting items for our Paragon Pals bags that are donated to the homeless. We are still having meeting on Zoom and trying doing service because that is how we roll!
Pat B
2020 Pandemic (so far!)
When I started the year as President (2019-2020 year), I was so excited and couldn’t wait to hit the ground running on all the Paragon Optimist Club’s community service and fellowship activities. First quarter came and went in a flash, and we had so much fun and so many members attending meetings. Then we fell into second quarter and a global scare.
What do you do as a very active Optimist Club during a pandemic? You put your heads together and come up with a plan!
Plan A – a huge failure! We got on Facebook messenger but found out you can only have 8 members on at a time, so onto another plan. After all isn’t there some saying about you succeed by failing fast….
Plan B – a success! Since some of our members switched to working from home during this time, it was suggested we try Zoom. One of our members took the initiative to set it up, emailed the link to all members, and lo and behold we were able to resume meetings with fantastic member turnout!
These were not your typical meeting per se but a meeting nonetheless. We once again could take care of Optimist business however our entire event’s calendar became obsolete. We once again put our heads together to stay social. Some of the fun things we did after our meetings were: trivia, show & tell, funny story night and a pajama party.
Our Sergeant at Arms, Sally, made each Tuesday night just a little more interesting with over the top instructions for the next week’s meeting, such as wearing funky jewelry, funny hat, pajamas and purple clothing, to name a few.
We may miss being able to see each other in person, but we have been able to stay in touch and continue the great work we do as Optimists. The remote meetings have also given our Club a chance to see things in a different light. Each week we now open our homes to each other, which at times includes random pop-ins from their family and friends! We also learned the difficulties of speaking in unison when we try to recite the Optimist Creed at the end of our meetings. The video below is an example of our most recent attempt, which I must proudly admit we have really improved over these past few months…
When Ohio begins to reopen, we are looking forward to the day we can actually meet in person and once again become the Club I know we are.
What a year to be President!
Sharon B
It’s Not About Perfect Spelling or Grammar
Each year I can’t wait for the results of one of my favorite programs, the 4th Grade Essay Contest, to be announced. The Paragon Optimist Club submits topics to teachers in the area and asks the students to write their thoughts. This contest may be the first time these children are asked their opinions and feelings about something going on in their lives. The teachers educate the students that by writing an essay their thoughts matter and can be “heard” through the use of the written word.
And, it doesn’t have to be perfect to “win” a contest. I have helped judged this contest in the past, and some of the most memorable essays were not the ones with perfect grammar or spelling. The best ones are the ones that convey the kids’ message in a way that makes the reader take notice and think. Some of the essays I have read are heart breaking and some of them are comical. However, they all provide insight into how the future generation considers topics or wants to contribute to the world.
This year was more difficult than most I imagine with the advent of schools shutting down due to the COVID19 pandemic. The essay author I resonated with this year was a student that stated they wanted to be a teacher when they grow up because they “help lots of kids in all different ways.” And, it struck me, now more than ever we need to support and encourage students to be teachers. Living in Denver, CO, I have seen stories on the news about how much the students will be missing out on with no in person classes, and it isn’t just educational opportunities. There are schools that provide meals to their students, and teachers are worried about how their kids will eat if they aren’t getting the supplies provided by the school. During this difficult time, we see more teachers being creative in the way they not only educate, but also in how they encourage and support their students. It makes me wonder if through this pandemic whether more students will be inspired to be teachers as well because they see the dedication their own teachers have to them and their classmates.
Now more than ever, contests like the one our Club sponsor are important. It provides the students a safe place and opportunity to talk about their lives, thoughts, and opinions without having to worry about being graded on improper spelling or grammar. They are given the chance to creatively think about what they want to do or see in the future. And, during this time of pandemic, allowing and encouraging students to dream of their futures may be one of the best ways to overcome fear and isolation caused by COVID19. Listening to the dreams of tomorrow allows the thoughts of today to be filled with hope.
Lizzy S.
Smart Meetings
As President again,
I will try to keep away the pathogen.
No virus can keep us apart,
Because we’re too smart.
We Zoomed,
So virus you’re doomed!
Sharon B.
Optimists in April
April showers bring May flowers,
but this April brought so much more–
the Coronavirus, stay at home orders,
and masked visits to the grocery store!
But we are Optimists through and through–
we won’t let it get us down.
We’ll continue to be strong, we’ll meet by Zoom,
and keep all safe in our town
We’ll live by the Creed,
and pass it along, spreading our attitude.
We’ll be kind to all,
give them a smile and never ever be rude.
So check on your friends and family,
making sure they are doing alright.
Everyone needs to feel the love,
so please share your shining light!
Sally L.
Challenge: Quarantine & Me Baking Contest
I started this blog a little bit ago, but now while in this COVID-19 quarantine I know I am blessed that myself and my Club (Paragon Optimist) were able to be a part of and have a memory of good times. A time when we were together, a time when schools were in session, a time when a night out was safe. This memory has also inspired me, or maybe should I say challenged me. Please read on and I hope you too are inspired and join me in this challenge and will share your good times.
Dads, uncles, brothers, friends, were the “HE” male counterparts during Fairfield Central’s annual He & Me Cake Decorating Contest. On January 24, 2020 there were 64 cake entries and every cake was unique!
This contest has been held at Fairfield Central Elementary School for over 15 years. It was begun by a PTC mom, who wanted to find something where the dads/male figures in a child’s life could participate. Each team brings their baked cake, decorating supplies, creativity and then enjoys a delightful night of hands on fun! Paragon Optimist Club has been assisting with this function since 2008 and we have loved every moment.
On event night promptly at 7PM the contest starts, meaning the actual physical decorating begins. Physical because some students have been planning out their point of attack since the end of the previous year’s contest. Besides icing and a cake, contenders bring candies, pictures, knives for carving, trucks, Barbie dolls, small banners, everything and anything that their minds concocted in order to make their cakes their own extraordinary masterpiece.
Within a half an hour the time to decorate is complete and the cakes are ready to be judged. During that time while the judges review all the cakes is when the Paragon lends a hand. Our important job is to distract the students while the judging is happening. The students begin by enjoying treats and drinks the Paragon Optimist Club supplied while they sit and rest and wonder what they could have done differently, or how amazed they are with how their cakes turned out. After the food is cleaned up, the Paragon has setup an obstacle course, parachute ball tossing, pin the tail on the donkey, basketball shooting contests, scooter races, coloring and bingo for everyone to play.
Then suddenly, it is time to return to the cafeteria for the announcements where more magic happens. Ribbons are awarded in as many categories as needed to cover all of the cakes. The pride and joy of the evening is inspirational. I think the “He’s” in the room are just as excited as the students. Together they created this edible artwork all on their own. Prizes, snacks, games, a whole lot of time together, and now a cake to share, what’s not to love about this night!
Personally, I cannot wait until next year to see what the new creations will be. And as I said this blog inspired me to a challenge. This challenge I hope will inspire memories of good times and leads to a delightful night(s) and unique treats.
Challenge: Quarantine & Me Baking Contest
Rules:
Anyone can play
Take as much time as you need
Take a few photos of you and yours creating a baked treat unique to you
Every baked treat needs your personal touch – we know not everyone is a baker, so have no fear, support local, but give it some of your personal flare!
And if you dare, share one happy moment you experienced during this challenge
#TogetherAtHome #Covid19Challenge #Baking #SupportLocal
The first few entries….please add your entry to the comments!
Be the next to take the challenge!
#TogetherAtHome #Covid19Challenge #Baking #SupportLocal
Andrea R.