Opération Nez Rouge

This year 42 Optimist Clubs took on the responsibility of Opération Nez-Rouge between December 10^th and 31^st. The Saint Lawrence Optimist Club committed itself to helping out. Four of our members signed up: President Maurice Quinn, past-president Sylvie Cajelait, Joseph Quinn and Sharleen McCambridge. Lieutenant Governor Claude Jacques was pleased with our participation. Once again, our club was there to help out when asked. The money the club will derive will surely help our youth projects.

We worked out of a satellite base in Lachine, the Albert Gariepy Community Center. The location of our primary base was at Olympic Stadium. Our jobs consisted of creating teams of three people who were to do the transporting of customers in need of our services. A computer was set up to register the names in a date base at Olympic Stadium.

Joseph worked the computer, Maurice registered the teams, Sylvie worked security and helped out in communications and Sharleen was in charge of the food (the grilled cheese lady). The food was for the visiting teams of workers who came to our base to stand-by for incoming calls. Liquid refreshment as well as light snacks were available. The visiting teams were surprised and pleased by this service we offered.

The club’s working hours were usually from 6:00 PM until 1:00 AM. Our satellite stayed open sometimes until 5:00 AM, as they had to wait for the teams that we registered to report back to our base.

The people in charge had enough confidence in our Club to let us open up and control the satellite location on Christmas Eve. They returned after 1:30 AM to take over until closing at 5:00 AM. Maurice, Sharleen and Joseph worked Christmas Eve as well as prospective member Anita Robidoux.

Sharleen McCambridge and Joseph Quinn also worked New Year’s Eve until 2:00 AM.

The Saint Lawrence Club was the only visible club working at the Lachine satellite. We worked many long and enjoyable hours. We are already thinking of improving our setup for next year. We hope we may have a chance to comment on possible improvements that are needed for next year.

At the insistence of the organizers, the Saint Lawrence Optimist Club recruited many volunteers offering their names to our list of members. The more names we had, potentially, the more money could be forwarded to our club.

On December 15^th 1998, Santa Claus visited the Bronx Park Scout Group in Lasalle. He was in the vicinity to bring gifts to the young scouts. Member Mabel Tomlin made sure that the young boys behaved themselves as Santa arrived. By the way: Santa Claus looked an awful lot like our Secretary Treasurer.

This is your newsletter!

The Optimum is your newsletter, and should reflect the members of our club. Submissions such as articles on topics related to youth or Optimism, drawings, thoughts, etc. are always welcome.

The Optimum is a monthly publication of the St. Lawrence Optimist Club, with the goal of informing members, their friends, relatives and the community about club activities and issues related to youth. Articles for the next edition should be submitted by February 10^th.