The Northridge Optimist Club is active in initiating youth and community projects locally, as well as bringing youth activities organized by Optimist International to the local level. Some examples of the activities that are currently being held are as follows:
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Youth Scholarships - The club oversees two scholarship programs that benefit Northridge High School students. One is funded by club investments with The Dayton Foundation and distributes about $7,000 in scholarship money among several students annually. The other is funded by Cargill Corporation in conjunction with our club and provides two year scholarships of about $1200 per year, per student for two students each year. Over three hundred Northridge students have been awarded scholarships over the past thirty plus years.
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Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund - The Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund was started by Northridge Local Schools with The Dayton Foundation for funding school related programs that were not covered by school district budgets. The fund was started with an initial investment donated by Northridge Optimist Club, and the club donates to this fund on an ongoing basis. The disbursement of funds is handled as a grant process, with Northridge Optimist members serving on an advisory committee that evaluates applications for funds, providing about $4500 per school year for various educational enhancements.
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Optimist International Essay Contest - Optimist International assigns a new topic each year and provides the rules and guidelines for holding this essay contest for students. Our club conducts a local level of the contest in conjunction with a selected grade class in Northridge schools. The winning contestant’s essay is then eligible to compete for scholarship awards with other student essays at the Optimist District (state) level. Our club has also held club level Optimist International Oratorical Contests as well as hosting zone and regional contests.
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Christmas Sharing - The club buys food and delivers it to as many as twenty needy families during the holiday season. The Denny Mantel Christmas Sharing Fund is established for this purpose.
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Donations - The club makes donations to several youth and community serving organizations, such as, Crayons for Classrooms, College Promise and also supports various school activities.
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Funding of Activities - The proceeds of the annual Northridge Optimist Scramble are used to fund the Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund and activities such as the Optimist Essay Contest, our Christmas Sharing program, and various other community donations. The scholarships are funded by The Optimist Club of Dayton-Northridge Scholarship Fund, a component fund of The Dayton Foundation, and also the Sharron Braun/Cargill Northridge Optimist Scholarship Fund.
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