Wausau Noon Optimist Projects/Events
2007-2008

Chair:

Mike Sydow (261-1467)

The Speaker Coordinator enlists the help of fellow club members to solicit interesting and educational speakers for the Monday Noon luncheons.  The speakers are invited to share lunch with the club first, and then after club business is completed by the President, the speaker presents.  The meeting is adjourned by 1:00 pm., speakers are allowed up to 30 minutes.

Chair:

Butch Clay (842-0497  work)

This is a sponsorship of the club that meets weekly at The Boys & Girls Club. They hold their own fund-raisers and do good deeds throughout the community.

Chair:

Mike Fischer (715) 359-8252

Each month two local Wausau schools select two 5th grade students (boy & girl) who represent outstanding achievement and leadership values for their school. The students and family members and a school representative are invited to our Monday Noon meeting.  The school representative presents the student and their accomplishments to the club.  The club awards each student a $50 savings bond and a plaque honoring them.

Chair:

Install newly elected Officers and Directors of the Board.  This is a social/dinner event for members and spouses. A fun evening with other club members.

Chair:

Romey Wagner (848-5506 home)

The Pumpkin Patch is during Octoberfest. We spread out and give away 400 to 500 small pumpkins to any youth that want one. The moms and dads take a lot of photos and smiles are everywhere.

Chair:

Anne Heggelund (261-7689 work)

Our club, along with the local school districts, participate in a National program called "Kids Voting".  This program encourages youth, K-12 to participate in the electoral process.  They have their own voting booths and ballots.  Our club's responsibility is to provide the manpower for this event.  Our poll site is North Central Health Care Facilities located in Wausau.

Chair:

Fran Bender  (241-6631 work) Mary Sue Kuss (261-4307)

Dictionaries are purchased and distributed to @900 Wausau School District 3rd graders (public and private). Volunteers go to each school during the week and pass them out at a special assembly. This is a well received project in the area and the kids love getting the dictionaries.

Girl's Invitational
Basketball Tournament      

Chair:

Kelly Michaels (581-1676) and Christina Cooper (847-4811)

This  tournament  is a rapidly  growing  youth basketball tournament with teams from around the State.  The tournament is for girls in grades 7 and 8.  Our club hosts this event in its entirety, including Program booklets, referees, scheduling, and admission volunteers.  The girls that are involved in Basketball programs at local high schools provide our score keeping and timekeeping.  The Sr. High Booster Club provides concessions at the game location. All proceeds from admission tickets and Program booklets go to support the local Youth basketball teams.  Club members are needed throughout each day of the tournament.  New members are encouraged to join the committee and/or help out with the event.  Organization of the tournament begins in August.  Monthly meetings are then held for committee members.

Pantry Donations for Salvation Army

Chair:

Members donate nonperishable food items, bringing them to Monday meetings in December; to be given to the Salvation Army.

Chair:

Jeff Heinz  (355-8666 business)

Generally held at Stoney Creek Inn to provide a Christmas Social for the club members and their families.  Santa visits the children and provides a gift bag to each.  Everyone is provided with dinner.

Chair:

Tom Haebig (675-3655 home) & DuWayne Witter

Held at Gulliver's Landing, Lake Wausau.  This event is an ice-fishing contest for children of all ages and their families.  Our club provides prizes and door prizes, with reduced priced refreshments. We give an award for the "Fish of the Day", including fish mounting by Dave's Wildlife Taxidermy.  The winner is invited to a club luncheon to be presented with their mounted fish.  A social is held after the event for the club members and their families who provided the volunteer help.

Chair:

The annual Essay Contest invites youth to submit an essay on each years' subject.  Local winners advance to the District contest and compete for a scholarship.   Club participation includes planning, site selection, judge selection, event organization, publicity.

Chair:

This tournament is recognized as one of the finest youth basketball tournaments in the state.  The tournament is for boys in grades 5th - 9th.  Our club hosts this event in its entirety, including Program booklets, referees, scheduling, and admission volunteers.  The youth that are involved in Basketball programs at local high schools provide our score keeping and timekeeping.  The respective Booster Clubs of each high school as well as the Jr. High Booster Clubs provide concessions at each of the game locations.  This tournament generally serves over 900 youths and utilizes the following schools and organizations: John Muir, St. Mathew's, Newman High School, Wausau West, Wausau East and Horace Mann.  All proceeds from admission tickets and Program booklets go to support the local Youth basketball teams.  Club members are needed throughout each day of the tournament.  New members are encouraged to join the committee and/or help out with the event.  Organization of the tournament begins in August.  Monthly meetings are then held for committee members.

Chair:

Tony Stasney (845-8281 work)

This is an annual one day competition for boys and girls ages 8-13. This is an Optimist International sanctioned event in which they compete in pass, dribble and shoot contests. Winners here have the opportunity to go on to the state level.

Luck of the Irish Raffle
Fund Raiser 

Chair:

Jeff Heinz, Dick Bartig, Romey Wagner

Brad Heinkle & Scott Campbell

Chair:

The Oratorical Contest is open to all students under 16 who prepare and present a speech on a specific subject.  The speeches are judged by a group of education professionals with the winner going on to regional and possibly state competition.  All Wausau Area Middle and Senior High Schools are invited to attend.  This project is conducted in conjunction with the Everest Area Optimists and the D.C. Everest School System.  This year's subject is “Why Me? Why Not?”

Chair:

Sharon Morehead  (842-9177 work or  302-4207cell)

Children's  Festival I s an event  put  on by  the Marathon County Park   Department    to stimulate creativity in youth ages 2-12 and is held at the Marathon County Park Youth Building.  The event is held on a Saturday in April from 10 am - 4 pm.  Our club's involvement is setting up and running a woodworking booth.  We lay plywood down on the floor, throw wood from Kolbe & Kolbe on it and let children build whatever they like.  We provide the goggles, hammers, and nails. The event has many booths, but year after year, our booth is clearly the favorite!  The cost of this project is $15 to the Park Department and then a few dollars for new hammers, nails, goggles, and wood.  Members are encouraged to help out with this event.

Chair:

Jim Wadinski (848-3821 H#) & Anne Heggelund (261-7689 W#)

Our club  provides  plaques in  honor   of three   Wausau area officers that are selected by their departments in recognition of their service to area youth.  These officers and their superiors are invited to attend the Monday luncheon to be presented with their awards.

Chair:

Maria Bruggink (845-3111 W#)

This project is held for individuals with developmental disabilities in conjunction with the Aspirus Wausau Hospital Neurodevelopment Clinic.  Our club provides awards for all camp participants and volunteers.  An informal dinner/social is also provided for all participants, families and volunteers. Club members are needed to volunteer for consecutive Friday nights to serve the meal.  This is truly one of the most special projects our club sponsors!!

Chair:

Sharon Morehead (842-9177 work or  302-4207cell)

This project provides free admission and swimming lessons at community pools for Wausau area youth.  Signs and Publicity highlight the Wausau Noon Optimist participation and contribution. The budget of $2,000 covers the admission costs and all money not used for admissions is applied to free swim lessons.

Chair:

Kids are treated to a ride in a real race car in the center of the track. We get them in and out of the cars, give out food, hold drawings for free bikes and hold a bicycle race.

Chair:

Club  hosts a golf  tournament  for  local  youth at Rib Mountain Golf Course for a nominal entry fee.  Entry fee includes greens fees, lunch, pop and a gift.  At least 6-7 club members are needed to volunteer.  Medals are awarded for 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place finishers in each age group.

Chair:

This event is our club's largest fund-raiser.  All club members are expected/encouraged to volunteer for at least one shift to help serve beverages and/or food.  We typically gross over $60,000 on this 6-day event.  There is a "daily chair" assigned, and all volunteers are given specific duties upon arrival.  This is a great way to get to know your fellow club members!