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Club schedule, news, and updates.
All photos property of Northridge Optimist Club. All rights reserved. |
2020-2021 Optimist Year, October 1, 2020 through September 30, 2021
Club Bulletin Board Resets for the New Optimist Year as of Oct. 1, 2020:
• As established by Optimist International, the Optimist year begins on October 1 of each year, and ends on September 30 of the following year. The Northridge Optimist Club welcomes viewers of the Bulletin Board for club news and events. The club bulletin board keeps a running account of postings for the year, with previous posts visible by scrolling down the page.
• The page thus contains postings for the new Optimist year that began on Oct. 1, 2020 and will continue on this page until Sept. 30, 2021.
• As established by Optimist International, the Optimist year begins on October 1 of each year, and ends on September 30 of the following year. The Northridge Optimist Club welcomes viewers of the Bulletin Board for club news and events. The club bulletin board keeps a running account of postings for the year, with previous posts visible by scrolling down the page.
• The page thus contains postings for the new Optimist year that began on Oct. 1, 2020 and will continue on this page until Sept. 30, 2021.
See Bulletin Board Archives for Past Years:
This page contains postings for the current Optimist year which goes from October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021. See the Bulletin Board Archives blog page for archives of previous bulletin board postings. To review the club events and activities from the 2017-2018, 2018-2019, and 2019-2020 Optimist years, see the "ARCHIVES: PREVIOUS POSTINGS" in the right hand column of that page, and click on the "OCTOBER 2017", "OCTOBER 2018", or "OCTOBER 2018" listing for the postings of those years. The archives also contain additional prior listings by month and year for prior years, as show in the list. The <<Previous link at the bottom of each page may also be used to navigate to prior postings on the Bulletin Board Archives page.
This page contains postings for the current Optimist year which goes from October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021. See the Bulletin Board Archives blog page for archives of previous bulletin board postings. To review the club events and activities from the 2017-2018, 2018-2019, and 2019-2020 Optimist years, see the "ARCHIVES: PREVIOUS POSTINGS" in the right hand column of that page, and click on the "OCTOBER 2017", "OCTOBER 2018", or "OCTOBER 2018" listing for the postings of those years. The archives also contain additional prior listings by month and year for prior years, as show in the list. The <<Previous link at the bottom of each page may also be used to navigate to prior postings on the Bulletin Board Archives page.
Current Club Schedule:
Update of June 11, 2021:
• The club oversees two scholarship programs that benefit Northridge High School students, and MVCTC students whose home school is Northridge. One is funded by club investments with The Dayton Foundation and distributes scholarship money among several students annually. The other is funded by Cargill Corporation in conjunction with our club. Over three hundred Northridge students have been awarded scholarships over the past thirty plus years. The 2021 scholarships were presented to the students at the senior commencement ceremony on June 5. Seven scholarships of $1000 each were awarded from the Northridge Optimist Scholarship Fund administered by the Dayton Foundation. Five were for Northridge students, and two were for MVCTC students whose home school is Northridge. The Sharron Braun/Cargill Northridge Optimist Scholarships funded by Cargill were also awarded, amounting to $1200 each for two years. Thus the scholarship total for 2021 seniors was $9400.
Update of May 4, 2021:
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• The Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund is a fund administered by The Dayton Foundation for providing grants that support educational enhancements for Northridge students (K-12). The Northridge Optimist Club donated money to help start this fund, and has continued to support the fund. The "Polar Bear Fund Initiative" is an effort to keep the program going. The Northridge Optimist Club and The Dayton Foundation are seeking donors to help sustain the kind of support that enriches the educational experience for the students. We are reaching out to friends of the Northridge Optimist Club, Northridge alumni, area businesses, and community members to help support these efforts for the coming school year, and beyond. See the Polar Bear Donation page to learn how you can help.
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Update of April 3, 2021:
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Update of March 15, 2021:
Upcoming Club Activities:
• With the end of the school year getting close, the club will be working on scholarship selections over the next several weeks. The club oversees two scholarship programs that benefit Northridge High School students, and MVCTC students whose home school is Northridge. 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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• The club will also be evaluating grant requests for the The Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund in the next few weeks. This 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. The program is funded by donations. (See the post of Jan. 27 below for information on donating).
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Update of January 27:
Polar Bear Fund Initiative:
• Since the "Polar Bear Fund Initiative 2020" campaign began in mid-August of 2020, donations have been received for $4900 as of year's end. Many thanks to the donors for their generous support. A year end list of donors can be seen on the "Polar Bear Donation" page on this website, at the bottom of the page - CLICK HERE. (The list will be updated as we move into 2021 as we get reports from The Dayton Foundation). This is a good start, but the usual amount in annual grants is about $4500, so continued help is needed to keep the grants up at the usual level for 2021-2022 and the years to come.
• See the Bulletin Board posts of November 3 and November 20 (scroll down on this page) for a report on Polar Bear grants distributed for the 2020 school year. The review of the next batch of grants is expected for Spring of 2021.
• See the "Polar Bear Donation" page for more information on the fund and how you can help.
• See the Bulletin Board posts of November 3 and November 20 (scroll down on this page) for a report on Polar Bear grants distributed for the 2020 school year. The review of the next batch of grants is expected for Spring of 2021.
• See the "Polar Bear Donation" page for more information on the fund and how you can help.
Update of December 23:
Christmas Sharing Program for 2020:
• Many thanks to all who helped make the Denny Mantel Christmas Sharing Program possible this year. While facing the challenge of continuing the annual program under the conditions of limited contact that are in place because of the pandemic, the club has succeeded in providing over $3000 of holiday assistance to 21 families in need.
• With the help of the school, a procedure was set up distribute gifts for the families that were selected by the school. The club purchased Kroger gift cards for the families and the certificates were held at the Northridge Board of Education building for pick up by the respective families at their convenience. Club member volunteers called each family to alert them to the availability of their gift. All of the gifts were distributed before Christmas.
• Thanks to those who sent in donations to the Christmas Sharing Fund. Donations are an important source of funds to keep the program at its usual level. For more information on donating, see the Bulletin Board posting of December 10, just below on this page.
• With the help of the school, a procedure was set up distribute gifts for the families that were selected by the school. The club purchased Kroger gift cards for the families and the certificates were held at the Northridge Board of Education building for pick up by the respective families at their convenience. Club member volunteers called each family to alert them to the availability of their gift. All of the gifts were distributed before Christmas.
• Thanks to those who sent in donations to the Christmas Sharing Fund. Donations are an important source of funds to keep the program at its usual level. For more information on donating, see the Bulletin Board posting of December 10, just below on this page.
Update of December 10, 2020:
In past years, club members and other volunteers have met on a particular Saturday in December to buy groceries and deliver them to the families.
Due to the pandemic precautions, a different format will be used for the 2020 holidays. Instead of volunteers gathering in groups, shopping and handling groceries that will then be given to the recipients, a different plan will be used to supply the families this year. For 2020 the club will provide gift certificates for the families. These gift certificates will be available for families to pick up at the Northridge Board of Education Building. The school has already provided a list of 21 families for this year's program. Club members will be calling each family to notify them of their gift and to give them times that the certificates will be available for pick up.
Due to the pandemic precautions, a different format will be used for the 2020 holidays. Instead of volunteers gathering in groups, shopping and handling groceries that will then be given to the recipients, a different plan will be used to supply the families this year. For 2020 the club will provide gift certificates for the families. These gift certificates will be available for families to pick up at the Northridge Board of Education Building. The school has already provided a list of 21 families for this year's program. Club members will be calling each family to notify them of their gift and to give them times that the certificates will be available for pick up.
Donations:
The budget for the Christmas Sharing Fund requires more than what the club's normal fundraisers bring in, so donations are an important source of funds to keep the program at its usual level.
For Donations to this fund please make check payable to, and send to:
Denny Mantel Christmas Sharing Fund
c/o Northridge Optimist Club
PO Box 131211
Dayton, Ohio 45413
The budget for the Christmas Sharing Fund requires more than what the club's normal fundraisers bring in, so donations are an important source of funds to keep the program at its usual level.
For Donations to this fund please make check payable to, and send to:
Denny Mantel Christmas Sharing Fund
c/o Northridge Optimist Club
PO Box 131211
Dayton, Ohio 45413
CLICK HERE to go to the Christmas Sharing page where there is a link to reports on the Christmas Sharing program in previous years.
Update of November 24, 2020:
Wishing all a healthy and safe Thanksgiving!
Update of November 20:
Polar Bear Fund Grants Awarded:
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The 3 grants for the fall cycle of the Northridge Polar Bear Fund were presented to the Northridge School Board at the November 16 board meeting. The awards were presented by Superintendent Dave Jackson. These are usually presented by the Northridge Optimist Club president, but due to limited attendance caused by the Covid precautions, neither the club representative nor the recipient teachers were able to attend. The teachers have been advised of the awards so that they can implement the programs supported by the grants. (See the post of Nov. 3 below for a description of the grants.
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Northridge School Superintendent's Article in the Dayton Daily News:
The November 15 issue of the Dayton Daily News featured an article by Northridge Schools Superintendent David Jackson. The article is entitled "Obstacles can strengthen our unity, resolve". CLICK HERE to download a copy of the article in which he expresses his optimism for the district in the face of the many challenges of the past couple of years.
Update of November 3, 2020:
Polar Bear Fund Grant Requests Approved:
• A total of 3 grant requests for Polar Bear fund awards were received for the fall cycle. This is the first cycle of three for the 2020-2021 school year at Northridge schools. The club Polar Bear Fund Committee reviewed and approved amounts as follows:
1) Request #1: To fund a project called "BookSource Classroom" which provides students with reading materials electronically to enhance, track, and evaluate their reading and writing skills. An amount of $750 was approved.
2) Request #2: To fund a "Climate and Culture Team project" to enhance the social-emotional competence of K-12 students. An amount of $750 was approved.
3) Request #3: To fund the replacement of math picture books that were lost in the Grafton Kennedy school destruction. The requested amount of $305.80 was approved.
(In all three cases, funds received for the projects will provide educational benefits on an ongoing basis, beyond just this school year).
The total of grant awards for the first cycle is $1805.80.
1) Request #1: To fund a project called "BookSource Classroom" which provides students with reading materials electronically to enhance, track, and evaluate their reading and writing skills. An amount of $750 was approved.
2) Request #2: To fund a "Climate and Culture Team project" to enhance the social-emotional competence of K-12 students. An amount of $750 was approved.
3) Request #3: To fund the replacement of math picture books that were lost in the Grafton Kennedy school destruction. The requested amount of $305.80 was approved.
(In all three cases, funds received for the projects will provide educational benefits on an ongoing basis, beyond just this school year).
The total of grant awards for the first cycle is $1805.80.
For more information on the Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund and how it works, see the Polar Bear Donation page on this website, and also see the latest fundraising report in the posts directly below on this page.
The "Polar Bear Initiative" Update:
• Since the "Polar Bear Fund Initiative 2020" campaign began in mid-August donations have been received for $4550. Many thanks to the donors for their generous support. A list of donors as of November 3 can be seen on the "Polar Bear Donation" page on this website, at the bottom of the page - CLICK HERE. (The list will be updated after the next report from The Dayton Foundation around the middle of November). This is a good start, but the usual amount in annual grants is about $5000, so continued help is needed to keep the grants up at the usual level for the years to come.
• See the post of October 16 below for more information on the Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund, and how you can help.
• See the post of October 16 below for more information on the Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund, and how you can help.
Update of October 16, 2020:
Update on The Polar Bear Foundation Fund as of Oct. 16:
• The Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund is a fund administered by The Dayton Foundation for providing grants that support educational enhancements for Northridge students. The Northridge Optimist Club donated money to help start this fund, and has continued to support the fund with proceeds from an annual golf outing fundraiser. Due to the pandemic, the golf outing was cancelled for this year, but the need to support the education of Northridge students is still there for the 2020-2021 school year, so a "Polar Bear Initiative" was launched this summer to seek community support in keeping the grants available for K through 12 grades in Northridge schools.
• Since the campaign began in mid-August donations have been received for $3300. Many thanks to the donors for their generous support. A list of donors as of October 16 can be seen on the "Polar Bear Donation" page on this website, at the bottom of the page - CLICK HERE. (The list will be updated after the next report from The Dayton Foundation at the end of October). This is a good start, but the usual amount in annual grants is about $5000, so continued help is needed to keep the grants up at the usual level, for this year, and for years to come.
• See below to see how you can help and to learn more about the fund and what it does.
• Since the campaign began in mid-August donations have been received for $3300. Many thanks to the donors for their generous support. A list of donors as of October 16 can be seen on the "Polar Bear Donation" page on this website, at the bottom of the page - CLICK HERE. (The list will be updated after the next report from The Dayton Foundation at the end of October). This is a good start, but the usual amount in annual grants is about $5000, so continued help is needed to keep the grants up at the usual level, for this year, and for years to come.
• See below to see how you can help and to learn more about the fund and what it does.
The "Polar Bear Initiative" for 2020
The "Polar Bear Initiative" is a campaign to support educational enhancements for Northridge students through the
Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund - a component fund of The Dayton Foundation. |
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As announced in the Bulletin Board post of July 28, 2020 the annual golf outing fundraiser that feeds this fund has been cancelled for 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. But the need is still there for the students of Northridge to benefit from the grants that this fund provides.
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Learn more about this fund and how it benefits the students. Click the button on the left to go the Polar Bear Fund page on this website, where there is also a direct link to The Dayton Foundation for secure online donations to the Northridge Polar Bear Foundation Fund. See how you can help!
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Community Links:
Some links of interest to the Northridge area are posted in the panel at the right (see the red buttons under "Community Links"). One of these is for the Northidge Alumni Bear Facts website published by the Northridge Alumni Association. One good way to show support of the community is to patronize the alumni businesses listed on their website:
www.northridgealumni.org/id11.html
The alumni website also offers an interesting history of the Northridge Community called "From Ebenezer to Northridge" by Richard D. Allen on this link:
http://www.northridgealumni.org/id68.html
Be sure to visit the Northridge Alumni Bear Facts website to keep up with Northridge alumni news and events in the community.
www.northridgealumni.org/id11.html
The alumni website also offers an interesting history of the Northridge Community called "From Ebenezer to Northridge" by Richard D. Allen on this link:
http://www.northridgealumni.org/id68.html
Be sure to visit the Northridge Alumni Bear Facts website to keep up with Northridge alumni news and events in the community.
Previous Years - Bulletin Board Archives:
This page contains postings for the current Optimist year which goes from October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021. See the Bulletin Board Archives blog page for archives of previous bulletin board postings. To review the club events and activities from the 2017-2018, 2018-2019, and 2019-2020 Optimist years, see the "ARCHIVES: PREVIOUS POSTINGS" in the right hand column of that page, and click on the "OCTOBER 2017", "OCTOBER 2018", or "OCTOBER 2019" listing for the postings of those years. The archives also contain additional prior listings by month and year for prior years, as show in the list. The <<Previous link at the bottom of each page may also be used to navigate to prior postings on the Bulletin Board Archives page.
This page contains postings for the current Optimist year which goes from October 1, 2020 to September 30, 2021. See the Bulletin Board Archives blog page for archives of previous bulletin board postings. To review the club events and activities from the 2017-2018, 2018-2019, and 2019-2020 Optimist years, see the "ARCHIVES: PREVIOUS POSTINGS" in the right hand column of that page, and click on the "OCTOBER 2017", "OCTOBER 2018", or "OCTOBER 2019" listing for the postings of those years. The archives also contain additional prior listings by month and year for prior years, as show in the list. The <<Previous link at the bottom of each page may also be used to navigate to prior postings on the Bulletin Board Archives page.
2020-2021 Club Schedule (including past dates, in gray)
- Meetings on hold during pandemic
