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The Greater Jacksonville Optimist Club, Inc.

2025 OPTIMIST/CMRC FIREWORKS

UPCOMING EVENTS

Click here for the Full Year Calendar

Dates	Event Details
Ongoing	Children’s Cancer Coin Banks – Located in Jacksonville Businesses. Contact Carol Applegate for details
Ongoing	St. Vincents Villa – Sign up to help on a variety of projects Contact Carol Applegate for details

PROGRAM	DETAILS	CONTACT
	ESSAY CONTEST The Essay Contest is sponsored by Optimist International to give young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live. The 2026 dates are TBD – stay tuned	Contact Carol Applegate for details
	COMMUNICATION CONTEST FOR THE DEAF & HARD OF HEARING This contest offers an opportunity for students who are Deaf or Hard-of-Hearing to present their thoughts in the community, gaining skills, which can only come from signing or speaking to a large audience. Patterned after the Optimist Oratorical Contest, the contest offers youth the chance to compete in speech or sign language with the chance to win a college scholarship. One District Scholarship of $2,500 The 2026 dates are TBD – stay tuned	Contact Carol Applegate for details
	ESSAY CONTEST The Essay Contest is sponsored by Optimist International to give young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they 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! One District Scholarship of $2,500	Contact Carol Applegate for details
ALL OI YOUTH CONTESTS	Topics and details at the OI website
	STOCK MARKET CHALLENGE Help raise funds for the GJOC! The club raises funds when a player contributes $25 to play the game. In short, the $25 lets the player “purchase” a fictitious portfolio of five stocks from a list of selected stocks. The portfolio is worth $10,000 at the start. At the end of the first month and at the end of the second month, prizes are awarded for various levels of achievement. The 2026 Fundraiser will be underway in January 2026! If you have participated before, be on the lookout in your mailbox for your entry form or you’ll be able to download one here.	Contact Carol Applegate for details
	WISH LIST Believe In Tomorrow provides exceptional hospital and respite housing services to critically ill children and their families with clean, comfortable facilities that serve as a tool for families to rejuvenate and reconnect. The GJOC helps Believe In Tomorrow Children’s House at Johns Hopkins. Currently we are helping to complete their wish list of food and other items for the house. We will be coordinating a drop off point and day – perhaps around the Holidays. The wish list will be available here at that time. Our club donated items to stock their respite condos in Ocean City. Beach towels and toys, sunscreen, cereal, desserts, activity books and more.	Contact Carol Applegate for details

Jacksonville Jottings		2024-25 Board of Directors
May 2025 Mar 2025 Feb 2025 Jan 2025 Dec 2024 Sep 2024 Jul/Aug 2024 Jun 2024 May 2024 Apr 2024 Mar 2024 Archives HOBY CORNER HOBY Newsletter June 2024	MEETING SITE St. John’s Evangelical Lutheran Church 3911 Sweet Air Rd. Phoenix, 21131 Member meetings are held on the 1st Thursday of the month, 7:00 pm. Contact Carol Applegate to find out if the meeting is in person or virtual. Membership Brochure	Chairperson – Barbara Crain President – Carol Applegate Secretary-Adam Drescher Treasurer- Pam McCollum Director – Carol Porcher Director – Fred Figlewski If you are interested in a director position or a committee chairperson position, contact President Carol Applegate

OPTIMIST INTERNATIONAL Mission Statement By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in youth, our communities, and ourselves. Vision Statement Optimist International will be recognized worldwide as the premier volunteer organization that values all children and helps them develop to their full potential. Fact Sheet	WANT TO CONTACT US? By Mail: The Greater Jacksonville Optimist Club, Inc. PO Box 442 Phoenix, MD 21131 By Phone: 410-746-0150 By email: Carol Applegate
OI Creed Join Us History To make a non-tax deductible donation, make your check payable to GJOC, Inc. To make a tax-deductible donation, make your check payable to “OI International Foundation” (a 501c3 organization) and mail to: The Greater Jacksonville Optimist Club, Inc. PO Box 442 Phoenix, MD 21131	The Greater Jacksonville Optimist Club is 40 years old! Our Club’s “Birthday” was September 19, 1984.