Become A Member! Join Us!   Become a member and join a local group who work with the local community!  Click here for details. Contact: Carol Applegate or call 410-426-8287 Essay Contest Topic for the 2022-2023 school year is: "Who is an Everyday Hero that Brings Out the Optimism in You?” Who: The contest is open to contestants under the age of 19 as of October 1st of the current Optimist International contest year (October 1 – September 30) and who have not yet completed secondary school or its equivalent. There is no minimum age. Students must enter in the District in which they reside. U.S. students attending school on military installations outside the U.S. are eligible to enter in their last home of record. How To Enter: Interested students must contact their local Optimist Club.  Click here for the Essay Contest application for the Greater Jacksonville Optimist Club. Mail or email by 1/23/2023! Contact: Carol Applegate or call 410-426-8287   Student Support Network THE STUDENT SUPPORT NETWORK SPRING DRIVE FOR SCHOOLS YOU CAN HELP OUR STUDENTS IN NEED! Click here for details More info: Please contact Carol Applegate Believe in Tomorrow Children's Foundation 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. Click here for the wish list. More info: Carol Applegate Stock Market Challenge Help raise funds for the GJOC! What: 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. When:  The 2023 Contest will begin in January. STAY TUNED FOR THE 2023 STOCK MARKET CHALLENGE! How do I get involved:  Ask Carol Applegate how you can help! The monies raised support activities for the Greater Jacksonville Optimist Club, which include Youth Activities and Community Activities.  More info: Please contact Carol Applegate

UPCOMING EVENTS     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 Carol Porcher  for details. Thu Feb 2, 2023 Members Meeting: Join us Thursday Feb 2, 2023 @7 pm.  Virtual meeting on Zoom.  Contact Carol Applegate  for details. Starting in January 2023 STAY TUNED FOR THE 2023 STOCK MARKET CHALLENGE FUNDRAISER! Contact  Carol Applegate or call 410-426-8287

Jacksonville Jottings (Our Newsletter)			The Greater Jacksonville Optimist Club, Inc. PO Box 442 Phoenix, MD 21131 410-426-8287	2022-23 Board of Directors Chairperson of the Board Barbara Crain President Carol Applegate Vice President Carol Porcher Secretary Adam Drescher Treasurer Pam McCollum Director Fred Figlewski   If you are interested in a director position or a committee chairperson position, contact President  Carol Applegate 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
Dec 2022 Nov 2022 Oct 2022 Aug/Sep 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 March 2022 February 2022 December 2021 November 2021 September/October 2021 August 2021 May 2021 April 2021 January 2021 December 2020 October 2020  September 2020 Summer 2020 April 2020 January 2020	December 2019 November 2019 October 2019 July/August, 2019 June, 2019 May, 2019 April, 2019 March, 2019 February, 2019 January, 2019 December, 2018 November, 2018 October, 2018 September, 2018 August, 2018 July, 2018 June, 2018 May, 2018 April, 2018 March, 2018 February, 2018	January, 2018 December, 2017 November, 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August, 2017 July, 2017 May, 2017 April, 2017 March, 2017 February, 2017 January, 2017 December, 2016 November 4, 2016 September 17, 2016 August 21, 2016
Corner HOBY - Aug 2020 HOBY Story 2017
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				Optimist Essay Contest "Reaching Your Dreams by Choosing Optimism". Congratulations to 1st Place Rebecca Ruggles and 2nd Place Nupar Shah who recieved checks for their outstanding essays!
The Greater Jacksonville Optimist Club is 36 years old! Our Club's "Birthday" was September 19, 1984. Click here for our club's history.