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Optimist Club of Coronado
Optimist Day Brings Hope to Community
OPTIMIST CLUB OF CORONADO
PO BOX 180251
CORONADO, CA 92178
CONTACT: ROB KRACHT (619) 347-1559
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 29, 2021
Optimist Day Brings Hope to Community
The Optimist Club of Coronado asks the community to choose optimism February 4, 2021
Coronado, California – The Optimist Club of Coronado invites community members to celebrate Optimist Day on February 4, 2021.
With the global pandemic continuing to affect the lives of people around the world, Optimists are choosing Optimism. “Now more than ever, we recognize the need to choose optimism,” Optimist Club President Rob Kracht explained, “Our number one priority is helping children in our community.”
Optimist members continue to find optimism by reciting the Optimist Creed. The Creed is nearly a century old but holds great importance. It is a promise that one makes to themselves to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind; to talk health, happiness, and prosperity to everyone you meet; and to press on to the greater achievements of the future, among other things.
The Optimist Club of Coronado has been supporting local youth since 1970. Programs and service projects that the Club is involved in include: the annual Sports Fiesta; essay and oratorical contests; youth volunteer groups and projects such as Junior Optimists, Pennies for Pasta, and the Super Bowl of Caring; financial support for leadership, academic and athletic youth activities; and local restaurant and business support.
For more information about the event, please call (619) 347-1559 or visit the Club’s website at www.optimistclubofcoronado.org.
Optimist International has nearly 70,000 adult and youth members in about 2,500 clubs in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, Mexico and throughout the world. Carrying the motto “Bringing Out the Best in Youth, in our Communities, and in Ourselves,” Optimists conduct positive service projects that reach more than six million young people each year. To learn more about Optimist International, please call (314) 371-6000 or visit the organization’s website at www.optimist.org.
Introducing Tom Catlin
From Tom: I began in television in 1989 after graduating from San Diego State. I have worked as a reporter, producer, camera person and editor in Palm Springs, Nashville, Orange County, CA, Los Angeles, Boston and San Diego, twice. I have worked for Fox Sports San Diego since 2011 producing shows about the Padres. I recently won my 6th Emmy for a story we hope to show you today assuming screen sharing works.
More information about Tom: Producer of television documentaries and biographies, including writing, shooting and editing, for Fox Sports San Diego, the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox. I have also managed Production and Advertising for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox.
Television biographies for the Boston Red Sox that aired on NESN include; Dave Roberts, Carl Yastrzemski, Dom DiMaggio, Bobby Doerr, Johnny Pesky, Fred Lynn, Tim Wakefield, Jim Lonborg, Carlton Fisk, Dwight Evans, Joe Cronin, Terry Francona, Rick Burleson, Wade Boggs and more.
Television biographies for the San Diego Padres that aired on Fox Sports San Diego include; Tony Gwynn, Dick Enberg, Matt Kemp, Andrew Cashner, Jedd Gyorko, Derek Norris, The Padres Owners, Peter Seidler, Ron Fowler and Alfredo Harp Helú, Trevor Hoffman's Call to the Hall of Fame.
Find Us
Every Thursday Morning at 7:00 am in the Coronado Community Center.
1845 Strand Way
Coronado, CA 92118
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Message from Sharp Coronado Hospital
Dear Optimist Club Members:
We are writing to ask for your support in Sharp Coronado Hospital’s offsite COVID-19 vaccine clinic. As you may know the County of San Diego has authorized Healthcare Workers in Tier 1A to receive vaccine at this time. Sharp Coronado Hospital is now actively working to open an appointment only Tier 1A COVID-19 Vaccine Clinic using the County website appointment system. It is our hope that such efforts will assist in getting the vaccine process moving along. We are urgently in need of physicians, nurses and pharmacists who can assist in vaccinating individuals and in need of additional support to help with registration, greeting, outside monitor and runners to help the team.
Volunteers are needed beginning Wednesday, January 13 from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. at the Coronado Community Center’s Nautilus Room. The clinic will be open by appointment only for Healthcare Workers - Tier 1A Monday – Friday 10am – 7pm except holidays.
Available shifts for volunteers include:
- Morning: 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
- Afternoon 2 p.m. – 7 p.m. or
- 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. with a break for lunch (to be provided).
Volunteer roles include:
- Vaccinators: Qualified individuals who can administer the vaccine are attached on the document titled Authorized + Potential Vaccinators. On-site training will be provided.
- Greeter/Door Monitor: 2 needed per shift; ensure guests are wearing mask, keep their social distance and have necessary paperwork to validate their appointment
- Registration: 5 needed per shift; validate guest’s appointment and direct them to vaccinator
- Line Monitor: 1 needed per shift; answer questions and help guests maintain social distance
- Runner: 2 needed per shift; help vaccinators with needs including but not limiting transporting items by car from Community Center to Sharp Coronado Hospital
- Floater: 1 needed per shift; support needs of any volunteers or guests
- Outside Monitor: 2 needed per shift; monitor individuals vaccinated for 15 minutes to ensure there is no allergic reaction
Sharp Coronado is working hard to be part of the County of San Diego effort to vaccinate the greatest number of people who qualify receive the vaccine. We are enthusiastic that this is the first step toward wider vaccine availability for the community.
Volunteers will be compliant with all COVID-19 prevention protocols to the best of our ability including social distancing of 6 feet, wearing a mask and having hand sanitizer available at every volunteer station. If you are uncomfortable or feel your health is at risk in any way, we would ask that you not volunteer.
If you are interested, please contact Shannon Pavell at shannon.pavell@sharp.com or 619-522-3758 with your name, contact information, role of interest and availability.
Thank you for helping us be a part of the solution to the COVID-19 Pandemic. We appreciate your gift of time.
Sincerely,
Sharp Coronado Hospital
Sports Fiesta Triathlon 2020
Every year on the last weekend in July, the Optimist Club of Coronado holds the annual Optimist Sports Fiesta. One of the highlights of the event is the triathlon which holds the distinction of being the oldest continuous running triathlon in the world!
This year, of course, the Sports Fiesta was cancelled due to COVID-19. Disappointing for the Optimists and competitors, one family in particular. Three Coronado-grown brothers Dave, Al and Mark Hansen, have been staunch competitors in the Sports Fiesta for years. Al says he’s only missed one over the years. The thought of the Sports Fiesta triathlon losing its distinction of being oldest, continuous running triathlon in the world didn’t sit well with the family and they decided to do something about it.
A plan was hatched, bringing three generations of family together for the competition. David and his wife, Mickey live on the bay so it was the perfect venue for all three events. Sports Fiesta coordinator, Optimist Don Crawford, was called to officiate the activities. Masks, social distancing, and safety were priorities.
First event in the competition was the swim out to a buoy with some swimmers and lots of kids on paddleboards. Next up was the run down First Street with a variety of speeds, bare feet, a tutu, and lots of enthusiasm. Lastly, the bike ride went along the same route on First Street in the bike lane. In this competition everyone was a winner in their age group with Grandpa Dave handing out medals to all the kids from his collection, dating back to the 1980s. It was truly competitive fun at its best.
Lunch was a celebration on the bay front to celebrate Dave and Mickey’s 50th wedding anniversary, surrounded by family.
After a lunch the family members dispersed. It was overheard that a few Hansens were looking forward to their next event of the day, the annual Sports Siesta.
The Optimist Club of Coronado would like to thank the Hansen Family for keeping the Sports Fiesta Triathlon tradition and history alive.
JOI in Coronado
Coronado Optimists are meeting now weekly via Zoom
Optimists at MooTime Creamery
Pictured left to right: Rob Kracht, Floyd Humphreys, Jennifer Landry, Brad Gerbel, Brenda & Larry Kracht, Marta Radcliffe, Dennis Dorman, Cynthia Kosciuczyk, Marian Donahue.
Find Us
Every Thursday Morning at 7:00 am in the Coronado Community Center.
1845 Strand Way
Coronado, CA 92118
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Donate to Youth Activities
Souper Bowl of Caring 2020
Junior Optimist had their Souper Bowl of Caring Food Drive today, Super Bowl Sunday. The Junior Optimist Club of Coronado would like to thank all those who donated to help this collection be a great success!
Announcing the 2020 Oratorical Contest
Ever wonder what it would be like to live with no constraints? No limitations? No frustrations? Coronado school students have an opportunity to muse on these ideas and speak on the theme Just Imagine a World Without Boundaries in the 2020 Coronado Optimists Oratorical Contest.
This is the 49th year of the Coronado Optimists’ contest and will be held in the Winn Room at the Coronado Library on Monday, March 2nd at 3:30 – 6:00p.m. The contest is an enjoyable but serious public-speaking opportunity for Coronado students to explore why they are so confident and optimistic about their future. All are invited to attend the contest, especially the students’ families and friends, and be amazed with the students’ insights and the quality of their speeches.
All Coronado school students, including home-schooled students, under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2019 (there is no minimum age) are eligible to participate and encouraged to apply. Students are urged to work with his/her teacher to prepare their speech.
The students’ 4 – 5 minute speeches, delivered from memory, are judged on content, presentation, poise, and overall effectiveness. Each student receives a participation certificate and the top three students receive medallions and cash awards. The top two students can go on to compete at the Optimists zone and district level contests in April for college scholarships up to $2,500; the district level winner can participate in the regional contest and the Optimist Oratorical World Championship in July for a college scholarships up to $15,000.
The Application form, which includes all the contest rules, is below. It is also available from Gene Rathswohl, the contest coordinator, at erathswohl@san.rr.com.
Completed application forms should be mailed to:
Gene Rathswohl
924 Eighth Street
Coronado, CA 92118
Applications must be received by Wednesday, February 26, 2020.
A maximum of 20 students can participate, so the earlier an application is submitted the better. Feel free to contact Gene with any questions you have regarding the contest.
2019 Winners
Optimist Club Sports Fiesta 2018 Results
Thank you to all participants of the Optimist Club of Coronado's Sports Fiesta 2018!
Optimist Sports Fiesta 2018
New and Old Events Highlight 2018 Optimists Club’s Sports Fiesta
It is historic. It is fun, and most importantly, it is an inspiring collaboration of local businesses joining forces to support Coronado’s youth.
Returning events include the 1-mile rough water ocean swim, a 5K run, and the longest, continuous running triathlon in the world. The triathlon consists of a 400 yard ocean swim, 1-mile run and 4-mile bike ride.
New events on Saturday, July 28, include a Cornhole tournament (youth and adult divisions) and Family Carnival. Both will run from noon - 4:00 pm at Sunset Park. Beach Volleyball at North Beach begins at 9 am. Pickleball and Lawn Bowling tournaments will be on Sunday, July 29th at the Coronado Marriott and Spreckels Community Center and Bowling Green, respectively.
For spectators and those who just want to hang out and enjoy a Coronado tradition, there will be a picnic area from noon to 4pm at Sunset Park. All are encouraged to bring their own food and drink, (no alcohol please) or they can order from Panera, which will be taking orders and delivering to Sunset Park July 28th.
Entrance fees range from $10 (for under 18) to $40 (day of registration). Some events are capped, so sign up early by clicking the Sports Fiesta link at the top of this page. Carnival games are just 50 cents and everyone wins a prize!
A Tribute to Optimist Stan Searfus
This morning we had a special presentation by Ben Ruef. His mother, Julie, is an Optimist Club member. Ben was one of the lucky kids who was mentored by our own Optimist, the late Stan Searfus. Ben produced a spectacular tribute video of Stan and gave us a showing. Excellent and inspiring work, Ben. You've created a lasting legacy for one of the good guys, our friend Stan.
CHS Girls Basketball
The CHS Girls Basketball Team came to update us on their season. We give them a check to help with their expenses. It's always a pleasure to see the youth we support at our meetings!
Coronado Junior Optimist Activities
Coronado's Junior Optimist Club, sponsored by the Optimist Club of Coronado, participated in group activities and team building with other Junior Optimist clubs from the San Diego/CALSOUTH area.
A nice turnout of 18 enthusiastic Junior Optimists and three Junior Optimist Club Advisors met at the Mission Bay Santa Clara Recreation Center near the Sail Bay area of the Park on January 20, 2018. Junior Optimists representing six California South (CALSO) District Junior Optimist Clubs shared a morning of fun activities led by Immediate Past President of Junior Optimist International, O'Hara Wickham, and current Junior Optimist International Director, and Coronado's own, Cole Mullins.
The group performed a team oriented, "ice breaker" activity searching the floor for answers to questions posed by the leaders. New friendships were made, and a lot of fun was had by all. The Club Members shared their recent and current Club activities and upcoming plans. The leaders shared news from the CALSO JOI District and Junior Optimist International and upcoming Scholarship Contests, including Essay, Oratorical, and the Reel Optimism Video Contest. A pizza luncheon was enjoyed by all before the teams headed out for the beach cleanup community service project. Books were collected for the inner city school in the CALSO JOI District wide 'Joy of Reading' service project. The event was concluded with a clean beach, happy Junior Optimists, and thanks from the Park Ranger for a job well done!
Optimist Sports Fiesta Video 2017
We are fortunate to have a member who has a very talented son! Ben Ruef documented our Sports Fiesta with a beautifully creative video. Thanks, Ben!!!
Installation Dinner Sep 18, 2017
On Monday at Spiros we had our annual Installation of the new board with President Crawford and release of the old board with President Zoll. Molly and Renee did a marvelous job setting up our party...food was delightful, and the company was superb. Matt Heinecke was a great addition to the evening of friendship and lovely sunset on the San Diego Bay. Again mission accomplished by Zoll and welcome Don and his team. Looking forward to another great year of Optimism.