How are you celebrating Independence Day this year? Mark your calendars: the fireworks in Jacksonville is Sat. June 29, 2024 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 410-746-0150 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 2024 Fundraiser is underway! New entries are not being accepted at this time - the deadline was 2/29/24. More info: Please contact Carol Applegate Ask Carol Applegate how you can help! Click for the SMC 2024 Entry Brochure and rules. The monies raised support activities for the Greater Jacksonville Optimist Club, which include Youth Activities and Community Activities.   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 There were three local student winners in the 2024 GJOC Essay Contest:“Optimism: How It Connects Us” at our club’s Essay dessert night. Three Dulaney students and their parents attended.  Sarah T. 1st Place $100 check Maxine Y. 2nd Place $75 check Andrew F. 3rd Place $50 check   They were within 4 points. All are 17 years old. Thank you to Judges Maria Barata, Barbara Crain, and Nancy Neal and for set up Adam and desserts Carol. We appreciate you!

UPCOMING EVENTS   Click here for the Full Year Calendar 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. January-April, 2024 STOCK MARKET CHALLENGE fundraiser - This fundraiser is in  progress and is not accepting entries at this time.  (Entries had to be postmarked by Feb 29, 2024 or hand it to a GJOC Board Member by 2/29/24) Contact Carol Applegate  for details. Thu May 2, 2024 Membership Meeting: Join us virtually Thursday May 2, 2024 @7 pm.  Contact Carol Applegate  for details. Mon May 13, 2024 Fireworks Meeting: Join us virtually Monday May 18, 2024 @7 pm.  Contact Carol Applegate  for details. Thu Jun 6, 2024 Membership Meeting: Join us virtually Thursday June 2, 2024 @7 pm.  Contact Carol Applegate  for details. Thu Jun 10, 2024 Fireworks Meeting: Date and time TBD.  Contact Carol Applegate  for details. Sat Jun 29, 2024 Independence Day Celebration in Jacksonville - Fireworks!!! Thank you Carroll Manor Recreation Council and other supporters to get the Fireworks back to Jacksonville.  Contact Carol Applegate  for details.  Here is a link to the CMRC website which has details.

Jacksonville Jottings (Our Newsletter)			The Greater Jacksonville Optimist Club, Inc. PO Box 442 Phoenix, MD 21131 410-426-8287	2023-24 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
Apr 2024 Mar 2023 Jan 2024 Dec 2023 Oct 2023 Sep 2023 May 2023 Apr 2023 Mar 2023 Jan/Feb 2023 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
The Greater Jacksonville Optimist Club is 39 years old! Our Club's "Birthday" was September 19, 1984. Click here for our club's history.