Christine Whelan, FEO, June 12, 2025, VOL. 6 ISSUE 20
Monday, May 12, after celebrating with a dinner at their hall at 1555 Gilmore Road in Fort Erie, the members of the Optimist Club presented a token of acknowledgement and appreciation to selected students across the Greater Fort Erie area.
“We do this every year, close to the end of the school year. It’s something to let them know they are appreciated for what they do,” Helen said.
Helen Gianfrancesc, who has been a member of the Optimist Club for 15 years, remarked that Tom Insinna, Regional Councillor for the Town of Fort Erie, was awesome. “He came to our Youth Appreciation Night and made a speech. He helped hand out all the certificates.
“This year, nine schools participated in Fort Erie, including Crystal Beach, Ridgeway, Stevensville, the public schools, the Catholic schools and the Fort Erie International Academy.”
The Club asked each school to pick a student from grades 7 or 8 who they believe has gone above and beyond expectations. “We had the student, the teacher, and the parents for dinner. Each student was presented with a certificate, and the Town gave each student a certificate.” The Club gave the students each a monetary bursary of $50.
“We also give bursaries to two high schools, Greater Fort Erie Secondary School (GFESS) and Lakeshore Catholic High School, because many kids attend Lakeshore in Port Colborne.” She says the certificate must go to a Fort Erie area student because the money is raised there and must stay there.
THE OPTIMIST’S EVENTS THROUGHOUT THE YEAR
At Halloween, the Club invites the kids to the hall and gives out prizes to the different age groups for the best costumes. Everyone also gets a bag of candy.
“At Christmas, we have an event that we call “Fantasyland”. We decorate the hall,” pausing, “You should see the hall!” Continuing, “We have Santa for the kids to sit on his lap and tell him what they want for Christmas. We have Mrs. Claus in the kitchen baking cookies, and the kids decorate the cookies.”
Running alongside Fantasyland is a bake sale and a penny sale to raise money. “The merchants in Fort Erie are very generous with us. Their support for our penny sale is donations like a gift card for a restaurant, diner for two, or a gift card from the garages, a grease job, and an oil change. The drugstore will make up a basket.” The event runs for two weekends. On the last day of Fantasyland, the penny sale draws are made.
The weekend before Easter is Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. “We have pancakes and sausages. The Easter Bunny gives the kids a goodie bag.”
“Then this June, we are holding a Respect for Law event. It’s another dinner we’re having, and we’re inviting the members of law enforcement.
To help raise money for the hall’s operating expenses, the members rent the space to different community groups and organizations. Club members also work scheduled bingos at local bingo halls. By working extra bingos, the members earn money towards their club goals, including the bursaries.
Looking for Members and Volunteers
“We need members to help run these events throughout the year.
“We have high school kids who want volunteer hours and can help with our events, such as Fantasyland and Breakfast with the Easter Bunny. They’re more than welcome to give us a hand decorating the hall and setting up the tables and chairs.” Recalling one year, “We had one student taking pictures with Santa Claus and again with the Easter Bunny.”
The Optimist Club is a youth organization established in 1975. Its mission is to provide hope and a positive vision and to bring out the best in kids. Kids come first with the Optimist Club.
To contact the Fort Erie Optimist Club with questions on events and membership, email the club president, Lucille Cashman, at feoptimists@hotmail.com
To follow the Club on the Facebook page, search Fort Erie Optimist Club.
