Optimist Club Honors ‘Friend Of Youth’
Cynde Briggs and Candi Slobe receive their 'Friend of Youth' awards from Optimist Club member Keith Comfort Wednesday evening
Oskaloosa, Iowa – “To be just enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own” is just a part of the Optimist Club Creed, but also exemplifies the service of it’s two most recent honorees.
This year, the group honored Cynde Briggs and Candi Slobe for their years of service in beginning Oskaloosa Children’s Theatre with the ‘Friend of Youth Award’ for 2011-2012.
“Candi and Cynde have been nearly inseparable. Their efforts in theatre have brought many of today’s young people into adult community theatres around the area,” were just some of the words spoken about the duo during the opening remarks to honor their years of service to the children of Oskaloosa.
Optimist Club member RD Keep in a letter to the group said, “There was something special working with these two. Patience was a virtue as you worked with two dozen young children. When these two become engaged in a project they put themselves into it and do not do anything they would not do themselves.”
“You two are a hidden treasure in Oskaloosa. I wish you the best this evening and say, from the bottom of my heart, thank you for all you do and have done. You truly epitomized the honor of ‘Friend of Youth’.”
The new honorees were joined by past honorees, as the club honors the group every year with a special dinner. This year’s dinner was catered by Grate Expectation Catering in Oskaloosa.
If your interested in joining the Optimist Club,
Past winners of the award are:
- 1993-1994 Bruce Sedrel
- 1994-1995 Burdell Hensley
- 1995-1996 Charlie Kentfield
- 1996-1997 Jack Tucker
- 1997-1998 Burt Frey
- 1998-1999 Frank Sturing
- 1999-2000 Albert Stewart
- 2000-2001 Henry Meinders
- 2001-2002 Scottie Moore
- 2002-2003 Leon Richardson
- 2003-2004 Charles & Barbara Oldham
- 2004-2005 Ivan Hankins & Phil James
- 2005-2006 Ace Toll
- 2006-2007 Linda Fox
- 2007-2008 Emory Stewart
- 2008-2009 Pete Eyheralde
- 2009-2010 Marlowe Dickinson
- 2010-2011 Vern Bunnell
- 2011-2012 Cynde Briggs & Candi Slobe
According to the Optimist International website:
Optimist International is an association of more than 2,900 Optimist Clubs around the world dedicated to “Bringing Out the Best in Kids.” Adult volunteers join Optimist Clubs to conduct positive service projects in their communities aimed at providing a helping hand to youth. With their upbeat attitude, Optimist Club members help empower young people to be the best that they can be.
Each Optimist Club determines the needs of the young people in its community and conducts programs to meet those needs. Every year, Optimists conduct 65,000 service projects and serve well over six million young people.
