OPTIMIST CLUB OF NILES SUPPORTS RACHEL'S CHALLENGE
The Optimist Club of Niles recently supported "Rachel's Challenge" with a $500 donation, a program done at Niles Elementary School District #71. Rachel's Challenge is a program that focuses on deliberate kindness and compassion with which Rachel lived her life. Pictured from left to right is Peggie Maniscalco, Culver School Principal. Amy Kruppe, District #71 Superintendent. Rich Mangold, Optimist Club Treasurer. John Jekot, Optimist Club President. Pat Byrne, District #71 Board of Education President. Norb Johnson, Optimist Club Member. Tina Nielsen, District #71 Board of Education Member. Jim Grammas, District #71 Board of Education Member.
2011 Baseball League Sponsorship
Congratulations to the Optimist Club Cub's, who are the 11 & 12 year old champions!
Pictured top row (left to right) Coach Max Kiefer, Chris Katris, David Czapla, Coach Chip Heinichen, Chris Heinichen, Matt Lavelle, Manager Pat Lavelle, Optimist Club President John Jekot. Bottom row (left to right) Perry Hasapis, Lukas Trujillo, Justin Fritz, Milan Opsenica, Brandon Lambert, Christian Mirza. Not pictured, Jeremy Calder.
Youth Ministry Support
The Optimist Club of Niles recently presented a $500.00 to the St. John Brebeuf Youth Ministry Program. The money was used to support over 25 teens to attend the “Alive in You” service work in Chicago. The 6-day work camp has teens coming from many parts of the country to work among the less fortunate. This program has traditionally been a very meaningful experience, both in service and spiritual growth, for the teens.
Shown are members of the St. John Brebeuf Youth Ministry looking on as a $500.00 is presented to the program. Pictured holding check from left to right is Pamela Perez, Youth Ministry Director. John Jekot, Optimist Club President. Jerry Szczepanski, Optimist Club Member. Back row is Optimist Club Member Norm Johnson.
Youth Assistance Donation
The Optimist Club of Niles donated $1,000.00 to MCYAF, the Maine Community Youth Assistance Foundation, an organization working to reduce alcohol use among teens, aged 13-18, in Maine Township. Pictured in front row (left to right) is Optimist Club President John Jekot, Margaret Polovchak from MCYAF, and Optimist Club member Tom Bondi. Pictured in back row is Optimist Club memebers Norm Johnson, Rich Mangold, Jerry Szczepanski, Brad Tokarz, Dean Strzelecki, Harry Achino.
Soccer Trip Support
Pictured below is Deanna Hartogh, who the Optimist Club of Niles helped in supporting her trip to Florida. In Florida, along with the rest of her team, she participated in a American Youth Soccer Tournament (AYSO).
Youth Ministry Support
Pictured below is members of the St. John Brebeuf Youth Ministry. The Optimist Club of Niles helped support there trip to Youth Ministry Service Camp in St. Charles, Missouri. The teens served at St. Joachim and St. Ann Care Center by helping with many tasks. Such as painting, vacuuming, sorting school supplies and helping at their food pantry.
Baseball League Sponsorship
This past summer, The Optimist Club of Niles sponsored a 9 & 10 year old team in the Niles Baseball League. The team finished with a over all record of 14 wins and lost 7 games. Pictured below (top row) Co-Manager Pat LaVelle. (2nd row left to right) Co-Manager Stan Valle, Alex Zaremba, Justin Nielsen, Patrick LaVelle, Coach John Jekot. (3rd row left to right) Nolan Heneghan, Nicky Valle, Billy Coakley, Pablo Acosta. (bottom row) Wyatt Zwik. Not pictured is Paul D'Amico and Omar Owenah.
Food Pantry Donation
The Optimist Club of Niles recently donated $1,000.00 to Niles Family Services. This money is to be used to help families who have little or no food during the Holiday Season. Pictured making the check donation is (Left to Right) John Jekot, Optimist Club President. Marty Friedman, Director of Niles Family Services. Rich Mangold, Optimist Club Treasurer.
BASEBALL LEAGUE SPONSORSHIP
During the summer of 2009, the Optimist Club of Niles sponsored a 9 & 10 year old Little League team in the Niles Baseball league. Pictured below is (top row left to right) Coach Mike Valle, Coach John Jekot. (2nd row left to right) Manager Stan Valle, Liam Spencer, Ethan Heinz, Connor Sullivan, Chris Katris, Coach Mike Sullivan. (3rd row left to right) Patrick LaVelle, David Czapla, Omar Owenah, Eric We, Kevin Beneda. (bottom row left to right) Ralph Covelli, Nicky Valle.