2013 Optimist International Essay Contest

It's not too late to enter the Optimist International Essay Contest.  The Coquitlam Optimist Club will award $100, $50 and $25 cash prizes for the first, second and third place essays submitted to the club.  The first place winner will advance to the Pacific Northwest District contest with the opportunity to win the $2,500 college scholarship. The Pacific Northwest District includes Optimist Clubs in British Columbia, Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska.

The Essay Contest is open to students under age 19 who have not graduated from secondary school.  Contestants must submit essays of 700-800 words in length on a pre-assigned topic.  The topic for 2012-2013 is “How Can I Help My Friends Realize Their Value?”

To enter, students must first fill out an application form.  The application form along with detailed contest rules is available for download here.  For information on how to submit essays, e-mail the Coquitlam Optimist Club at coquitlamoptimists@gmail.com.   The Coquitlam Optimist Club must receive completed essays by January 25, 2013.

The Optimist-Curl BC Raffle Is Back

The Optimist Clubs of British Columbia in partnership with Curl BC are offering a $5,000 cash prize in a raffle to support youth curling development. In addition, the Coquitlam Optimist Club will donate $1,000 to the eligible curling club named by the grand prize winner. There also will be eight $500 prizes.

Tickets cost $20 each and are available from your local Optimist Club or your local curling club. Only 1,600 tickets will be sold.

The money raised from the annual raffle funds “Optimists' Getting Started Camps” throughout the province. At these curling development camps, 15-17 year old juvenile curlers assist a professional trainer in teaching skills to the younger (9-11 year old) curlers. The 2011-12 raffle supported cluster camps in Port McNeill and Invermere (already completed) and camps in Quesnel, Armstrong and White Rock (upcoming in December).  Curl BC has provided funds for two additional camps in 2013, one in Merritt and another at a location to be determined.

The 2013 draw will be held at 4:00 pm on March 13th. The draws will be made after the final game of the Optimist International Under-18 Curling Championships at the Langley Curling Club, 20699 – 42nd Avenue, Langley, BC.

Purchasers must be 19 years of age or older. Know your limit; play within it. BC Gaming License No. 48831

Coquitlamites Try Something New at the Free Skate

The annual Optimist Free Skate on November 12 provided Coquitlam-area children and families an opportunity for two hours of no-cost recreation.  The numbers of little ones (and some not so small) using balance aids suggest that for many it was an opportunity to try something new. 

The official price of admission was a donation of food.  However, no one was turned away.  The donations produced 307 pounds of food for SHARE’s food bank.

See more photographs on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/#!/CoquitlamOptimists.

T3C Doubles Their Donations at Walk for Youth

Teens Transforming the Community (T3C) is the winner of a donation from the Coquitlam Optimist Club to match funds they raised in the annual Walk for Youth. T3C, a student organization at Port Moody Senior Secondary School, entered the Walk for Youth to raise funds for Children’s Hospital.

The Coquitlam Optimist Club holds the Walk for Youth each year to provide an opportunity for community groups to raise funds for their organizations. All participating groups are entered into a draw, and the winner receives a matching grant up to $1000 from the Optimist Club.

Easy Fund-Raising That Works!

The Optimist Walk for Youth could be the only fundraiser required for your group’s fund raising needs.

75% of the money raised goes back to your cause.  25% will go to the Optimist Club, but we in turn donate to non-profit groups in your community.  The Walk for Youth is the only fundraiser of its kind that gives you 75% return on your money AND at the same time helps your community. 

PLUS each registered group is entered into a bonus draw - a grant to match up to $1000 of the funds raised by your group.  This is in addition to the 75% you take home.

Other fundraisers (pub night, cookies and pie sales, etc.) will give you up to 30% return if you are lucky. Optimist Walk for Youth gets you 75% return!

AND every walker gets a free hot dog, chips and drink!  What a great opportunity for team time and raising funds!

WHEN:         November 12, 2012

                     Registration at 12 Noon

                     Walk begins at 1:00 PM

WHERE:       Poirier Sports and Leisure Complex

Simply contact us at coquitlamoptimists@gmail.com to register, and start collecting pledges.  Everything else is done for you.  The promotional/pledge package is now available here.

E-mail us if you have any questions.