Optimist Club of Downie celebrate 50-year milestone
By Wendy Lamond
On Oct. 14, past and present Downie Optimist members, local dignitaries and Optimist members from other nearby chapters met in St. Pauls to commemorate the past 50 years of belonging to Optimist International, which currently has close to 500 active clubs across Canada.
The very first Optimist Club in Canada was established in 1924 in Toronto. The Downie Optimist Club was established in 1976 and was sponsored by the Stratford club. The club’s motto is “Friend of Youth” and has remained one the main focuses for the club’s fundraising over the years.
The club has raised and donated more than $2.4 million back into the community with a strong emphasis on the younger generation. Ten of the original charter members continue to be members of the club. For every single day that the club has been in existence, $131.65 has been donated.
Throughout the year, the club holds many popular events like the annual Rib & Pigtail Supper, Bike Rodeo, bowling nights, lunch programs and members participate in local parades.
Also taking place at the anniversary dinner was the installation of the new executive. Installed were president Elton Baker, first vice president Ian Camden, second vice president Brian Aitcheson, secretary Sean McCabe, treasurer David Mountain and directors Jeff Rolston, Terry Heinbuch, David Hunt, Mike Ready, Bill Thomson and Manny Puetz.
On hand to congratulate the club on 50 years was Perth-Wellington MP John Nater, Perth-Wellington MPP Matthew Rae, Perth County Warden Dean Trentowsky, Perth South deputy mayor Bob Wilhelm and St. Marys deputy mayor Brogan Aylward. There were over 100 people in attendance with six charter members present – Elton Baker, Scott Dunbar, Ross Richardson, Franklin Hinz, Ron McKay and Gord Murray.
Also speaking at the event was Glen Dunseith, son of charter member Ron Dunseith. He shared with the room the importance of the club and how it shaped his family growing up.
Baker, a charter member of the Optimist Club of Downie, said it is a great honour to lead the club during its 50th anniversary year.
“As a charter member of the Optimist Club of Downie, it is a great honour to serve as president during our 50th anniversary year. I am extremely proud of all our club has accomplished over the years to support youth and strengthen our community,” Baker said.
“We are also proud to have sponsored two successful clubs, the Optimist Club of Kirkton-Woodham and the Optimist Club of Mitchell, extending our support to youth in their respective communities. We recognize that the need to support young people will only continue to grow, and we are committed to building on our efforts and doing all we can to help youth thrive in the years ahead.”
During his speech, Baker encouraged the crowd to drive through St. Pauls and take a look at the community centre, the ball diamonds, the soccer fields and the pavilion. These things are all there thanks to the fundraising efforts of the club.
Throughout the evening, attendees were encouraged to place funds in a donation box that were matched by the Optimist Club of Downie to be donated to Ameira Black for her fundraising efforts towards her participation at the World Down Syndrome Swimming Championships in Portugal. The club was able to present a cheque to her for $1,000.
Past president Manny Puetz shared that it was a wonderful evening and as a whole, the Optimist Club of Downie is looking forward to another fantastic 50 years. He thanked the community that has supported the club through the years.
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