“Individually, we are one drop. Together, we are an ocean." Ryunosuke Satoro |
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Greetings Fellow Optimists,
I believe that we are all glad to be ringing in a New Year! Even though all of us had many roadblocks thrown in our paths, optimism prevailed! We found new ways to meet. We delivered support to the youth of our communities in new and innovative ways. Because we are Optimists, even during a pandemic, we choose to let the Sunnyside prevail!
Your Foundation also put a most optimistic foot forward in 2020. We were able to support all of the programs we normally do. The World Oratorical was reduced a bit, however this year we are back to full funding of the Oratorical regardless if the contest is Virtual or In-Person.
One of my primary goals as President of your Foundation is to increase the number of Members and Clubs that make a donation. Currently 7-8% of members and 24% of Clubs contribute to our Foundation. Of course, I would like to see that percentage advance to 50%, 75%, maybe even 100%! If each of us just gave what we could, how amazing would that be!
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Congratulations to the DFRs who achieved the inventive for the First Quarter! |
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The requirements for the second quarter are listed below. DFRs meeting the requirements by March 31, 2021 will receive a commemorative OIF 50th Journal.
- 50% of Clubs in the District have assigned a CFR who has completed the LMS CFR Training
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The DFR has sent a communication to the District CFRs through a newsletter, email or letter by March 31, 2021 (OIF must be copied on this correspondence to validate). The correspondence should include: encouraging the CFRs to lead by example and contribute to the OIF, matching grant and Health and Wellness grant information and the special 50th Dime A Day information for the CFRs to share with their Club
- The District has achieved 50% of their OIF Goal for the 2020 - 2021 year
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The Optimist International Foundation is honored to have partnered with Jeff Hanson Art to celebrate our 50th anniversary during this, 2020-21 Optimist year. Optimists across the world are saddened by the passing of Jeff Hanson, extraordinary artist and philanthropist. Despite his passing, we will continue to celebrate and be inspired by the life of our our friend and champion Jeff Hanson. Below is an excerpt from - Jeff Hanson Art Facebook page.
Jan Oord Graves, President
OIF Board
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Jeffrey Owen Hanson (1993-2020) departed this earth on December 20, 2020, repainting Heaven with a vibrant palette of colors—but not before sharing his contagious smile, generous heart and colorful fingerprints on everything he touched.
Born with a genetic disorder, neurofibromatosis, Jeff became visually impaired from a brain tumor (playfully named CLOD) at age 12. But it was during therapy for that tumor that the accidental artist developed a passion for painting, as well as philanthropy. He “just wanted to give back.”
Despite his low vision, Jeff began painting note cards and selling them at a driveway bake sale, “Jeff’s Bistro.” Proceeds were donated to the Children’s Tumor Foundation. Notecards gradually transitioned to acrylics on canvas, and the self-taught artist developed his heavily-textured, boldly colored signature style. By age 15, Jeff incorporated his art business, and employed his parents as assistants—unexpected new careers for the emergency physician and marketer parents, Hal and Julie.
Jeff began donating some of his paintings to live charity auctions across the country, with his mission to “change the world through art.” By age 20, Jeff made national headlines when his artwork generated $1 million for charity. And upon his death, at age 27, Jeff had generated $6.5 million for over 200 charities and was on track to give $10 million by age 30. Jeff believed “every act of kindness helps create kinder communities, more compassionate nations and a better world for all—even one painting at a time.” .
Jeffrey Owen Hanson lived by the motto: Don’t let your CLOD define you! Jeff did not want to be known as “the kid down the street with low vision and a brain tumor.” He wanted to be defined as “the kid who gave a million dollars to charity.” He said, “We all have challenges. It’s not the challenge, but rather your response to the challenge that defines you.”
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OIF 50th Anniversary Auction
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Dates will be February 11 to March 11, so save the dates.
- Jeff Hanson Original Artwork – “A Day In Holland”
- A Myrtle Beach Experience – 7 night stay at a beautiful ocean front condo. Package includes entertainment(dinners, show tickets, etc)
- Helzberg Diamonds Goldstone Ladies Watch with Round Black Museum Dial
- Executive Director Extravaganza – Golf, Dinner, Hotel and much more for a weekend in St Louis with Benny Ellerbe, OI Executive Director and Craig Boring, OIF Executive Director
These items and many, many more great things. All proceeds to support the OIF efforts to fund the OI Scholarship, World Oratorical and other programs.
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The Club Grant Application process will start on January 6th 2021
The application will be available on the OIF website beginning then and be available through March 15. The Club Grant is a matching grant for new club projects that will be held between April 2021 and March 2022. New this is year is the grant amount to be applied for has changed to minimum of $250 and a maximum of $1,000. Previously it was just a set amount of $500.
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TOTAL UNRESTRICTED DOLLARS |
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