The Noon Optimist Club of Centerville consistently gives back to the Centerville and Washington Township community in order to improve the quality of life for youth. Members have the opportunity to participate in one of the largest and most active civic clubs in Ohio and the United States. There is something available for all members: hands-on work with youth at our Fishing Derby, Safety on Wheels Bike Rodeo, Tri-Star Soccer and Basketball events; fundraising with our Tee Off for Youth Golf Outing, Christmas Tree Sales and Avenue of Flags program; community awards for law enforcement, firemen, Oratorical and Essay Contests and Scholarship Programs; fun and learning with our weekly lunches including interesting speakers. The Centerville Noon Optimist Club stands ready to welcome you and ensure that you help our community prosper and become a better place to live, work and play. We are “Friends of Youth.”
Every year, we host a FREE Egg Hunt for children ages 2-10 at a local park, typically on the Saturday before Easter. Thousands of candy-filled eggs are available as well as golden eggs that can be exchanged for prizes. Children will compete in one of three age groups.
On the first Saturday in June every year, we host a FREE Fishing Derby for children ages 3 – 15. The fishing and worms are free and lunch is provided for everyone. Prizes will be awarded within each age group.
Ghosts, ghouls, and zombies will haunt the trails of Washington Township RecPlex Countryside Park every October! On these FREE fun-filled evenings your trail guide will lead you through the scary trails. Attendees are encouraged to bring canned goods/non-perishable food items to be donated to a local Food Bank.
Junior Golf Championship Qualifier
Optimists reach out into their own communities to involve children in the game of golf. Each year 5,000 junior golfers, ages 10-18, participate in Optimist sponsored events. The top 700 junior golfers advance to the Optimist International Junior Golf Championship each summer at the Doral Resort in Miami, FL.
Optimist Kids Day in the Park
In collaboration with several other local Optimist Clubs, we host an annual “Optimist Kids Day in the Park” at Delco Park in Kettering. The event is a free, fun-filled event for the entire family featuring carnival style games with prizes and a free lunch served at noon.
Safety on Wheels Bike Rodeo
The Noon Optimist Club of Centerville, in combination with the Centerville-Washington Park District, the Centerville Police Department and Bike Centerville, would like to promote youth bicycle safety in the community by sponsoring their Free Safety on Wheels Bike Rodeo. Children of all ages are encouraged to attend and bring their bicycles.
Mark A. Kruesch Safetyville Square
The Mark A. Kreusch Safetyville Square is a fun and entertaining way for children entering kindergarten through first grade to learn about safety over the summer. Topics include pedestrian, bicycle, playground, fire, home and life safety. Children get acquainted with school buses, emergency vehicles and our child sized town of Safetyville Square.
A pass, shoot and dribble contest will be held for boys and girls ages 7 – 12. All contestants will receive a free cinch sack and 150 basketballs will be given away, courtesy of Centerville Hustle. Trophies will be awarded to the top 3 boys and girls in each age group with 36 trophies total being awarded.
Each year we host our FREE Tri-Star Soccer event. This event tests dribbling, shooting, passing, throw-ins and juggling skills for children ages 5 -13. Medals are awarded to the top 3 in each age group.
The Essay Contest is sponsored by the Centerville Noon Optimist Club to give young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which we live. The approach can encompass a young person’s personal experience, the experience of their country or a more historical perspective. In addition to developing skills for written expression, participants also have the opportunity to win a college scholarship.
Centerville/Washington Township’s GOT TALENT Contest
Join the fun and showcase your talent at the Centerville/Washington Township’s GOT TALENT Contest. Talents may include magicians, dancers, singers, musicians, martial artists, acrobats, comedians and any other acts that may be entertaining.
The Oratorical Contest provides an excellent opportunity for students to develop important public speaking skills. Contestants deliver a speech between four and five minutes in length on the assigned topic during a regular Optimist Club luncheon/dinner meeting. The four winners from the Club contests advance to the Zone competition and then may advance to the District Regional competition. The winner at the District level will win a scholarship of $3500.
The Centerville Noon Optimist Club is conducting a photo contest to assist young people with developing an interest in the area of photography and to expose them to “The Optimist Creed” and our philosophy of Optimism. Students are asked to submit photos that illustrate/exemplify one of the ten tenets of “The Optimist Creed.”
Visual Arts Contest
The Optimist Visual Arts Competition gives the youth we serve another outlet for their creativity! This exciting program is designed to encourage and celebrate youth visual art skills in painting and drawing.
Childhood Health and Wellness
The Centerville Noon Optimist Club has expanded our Childhood Health & Wellness Program beyond Childhood Cancer. We have initiated projects and services to improve the quality of life for children in their communities across a broader spectrum of needs.
Centerville Americana Festival 5K
The Up and Running, Americana 5k Run/Walk is once again hosted by the Centerville Noon Optimist Club. ARRIVE BY 7AM. The race will start at 7:30am on July 4th at the Centerville High School Stadium on East Franklin Street. The race is chip timed and results will be available immediately at the race.
John P. Kalaman Respect for Law
Optimists promote respect for law and an active interest in civic affairs by sponsoring the John P. Kalaman Respect for Law Award. This award recognizes those in our community who exceed expectations in serving the community. The Noon Optimist Club of Centerville named their Respect for Law Award in John’s memory and to honor those in our community who unselfishly give of themselves in service to others.
Robert O’Toole EMT/Firefighter of the Year
Optimists promote an active interest in civic affairs by sponsoring the Robert O’Toole EMT/Firefighter of the Year. This award recognizes those in our community who exceed expectations in serving the community. The Noon Optimist Club of Centerville named their Robert J. O’Toole Award in Bob’s memory and to honor those in our community who unselfishly give of themselves in service to others.
The Centerville Noon Optimist Club provides several scholarship opportunities, the Memorial Scholarship, Skilled Trade Scholarship and Will Cale Scholarship, for local youth to further their education.
Youth Appreciation Award
Since 1957, Optimist Clubs have recognized youth for their talents in all areas of our school program and their service to our community. All of our award nominees have an extremely strong commitment to both their school and their community. They have excelled in rigorous academic programs while also demonstrating exceptional leadership, and community service.
Youth Mental Health
Championing youth mental health in our local and surrounding communities, our goal is to foster awareness, remove stigma, educate on available resources, and provide resources that will benefit their mental health, so they can grow and succeed. Through mental health collaborative efforts, we strive to create an environment where every young individual feels heard, supported, and empowered.