Oskaloosa Optimist Club awards annual Friend of Youth Award

Vern Bunnell and Oskaloosa Optimist Club President Keith Comfort

The Oskaloosa Optimist club awarded their Friend of the Youth award earlier this week. This years Friend of Youth was Vern Bunnell. The club cited his involvement at Oskaloosa High School as the football statistician, wrestling official, volunteer with the youth wrestling program, as well as other involvements in youth programs as reasons for him being given this award.”Vern is one of those guys that this wasn’t his job but it was a passion that he had and so many of our other winners have just poured themselves into that.” said Optimist Club Member RD Keep.  The Oskaloosa Optimist Club first began giving the Friend of  Youth award as it’s service project in 1993 to recognize a person who has gone above and beyond to serve the youth of the community.

Below we have included a list of the past Friend of Youth award recipients.

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

Some of the past Friend of Youth recipients pose for a photo with this years award recipient.

2001-2002: Scottie Moore

2002-2003: Leon Richardson

2003-2004: Charlie & 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