The Friendly City Optimist Club held an anniversary celebration on November 22, ‘60 Years of Optimism in Moose Jaw’ in helping the youth of the community.
“We are getting a nice bunch of people to come and hope we have a good event,” said Bill Heath, current President of the Friendly City Optimistic Club.
Although Moose Jaw City Mayor Clive Tolley was unable to attend, he sent his well-wishes for the club’s grand celebration.
“I extend a warm welcome to the Friendly City Optimist Club celebration of 60 years of Optimism in Moose Jaw. Special thanks to Lloyd and Lynann Pethick for all their hard work and dedication. The club provides funds and assistance to youth projects, programs, pediatrics and various other youth and community activities,” Mayor Tolley said.
Friendly City Optimistic Club long-time member and Secretary Lloyd Pethick said the club is very active in the community. “We do lots of barbecues for the WDM and we also do pediatrics at the hospital by donating toys every Christmas. We also help support the Minor Girls Optimist Park on South Hill.”
Pethick is a charter member of the Band City Optimist Club before they merged with Moose Jaw Optimist Club. The club has four other charter members and a total of 38 members in the club.
“I just met people we haven’t seen for almost 20 years, who are former members. Just to see these people, yeah, wonderful. It’s just good to see these old friends,” Second Vice-President Lynann Pethick said.
The club’s motto is “Friend of Youth.” Over the years, since 1986, the club has supported numerous youth in Moose Jaw with their scholarship programs, essay writing and oratorical contests and many more. Right now, the club is giving out $1,000 in scholarships every year. Two receive this scholarship equally and are selected by a committee of judges when candidates meet certain criteria. The scholarship is only given to high school students and every youth is welcome to apply for these scholarships.
Optimist projects and activities over the years from 1962 – 2022 have included the Terry Fox Run, Respect for Law, Block Parents’ programs, Life-size outdoor Snakes & Ladders, Remembrance Day wreath, Chem-Free grads, Sidewalk Days food booth, and many others in the community.
“We want the community to know that we are here and what kind of work we do,” Lynann said.
This coming summer, Moose Jaw Friendly City Optimist Club is giving $7,000 to renovate Optimist Park with wheelchair-accessible walkways and platforms to become all-inclusive. everyone can have access to the Optimist Park.
“We have got a lot of people from Regina, from Optimist clubs to celebrate and reminisce,” Optimistic Club member Keith McCaig said.
He says, it is always important to keep the youth happy and Friendly City Optimistic Club has been supporting the youth for quite some time. It seems other clubs are taking the same initiative. “Our goal is to make sure the kids are happy, and we pay for what the parents can’t afford.”
The 60 years of Optimism was celebrated with an evening of festivities, lots of laughter and reminiscing. There was a photo booth where archived photos of previous club activities and celebrations were kept for everyone to enjoy.
