Colorado-Wyoming District 25 Optimist International



Literacy Project Ideas 2014-2015

Battle of the Books. Competition based on content of the books. Northwest Denver Club; 10 members; 4 hours each; no cost; all elementary schools in the area. Contact: Marlene Rose (303-458-9469).

Book about Me. This is a Pioneer (retired telephone employees) project with the same concept as the I Like Me books. Must partner with a Pioneer chapter in order to use their book. See I Like Me books for easy access to same type project.

Books for Kids, USA. A literacy partnership where clubs “Adopt a School” to provide books. The Books for Kids, USA (BFKUSA) matches funds ($1000 minimum) for schools. Originally developed in Canada in 2003, the project is now available in the United States. Contact: 1-800-238-9647, , 4756-4 Telephone Road, PMB-139,

Ventura, CA 93003.

Brain Bowl. CO-WY District 25 project for middle school (6th, 7th, & 8th grades) five-member teams competing with other middle school teams. Held in three sites: North, Central and South Colorado. Optimist volunteers (150+) are needed. Contact: Rich Urbanowski (303-986-0964) or Connie Ackerman (303-798-6434)

BUG Award (Bringing Up Grades). Monthly awards are given with students receiving a certificate, BUG pin, book and/or a T-shirt. A May pizza party recognizes all winners for the year. A number of clubs in the district do BUG awards. See also Student Appreciation, Achievement and Recognitions. Contact: Clara Sitter 303-795-5517 csitter@du.edu

Dictionary Project. Several clubs give dictionaries to 3rd graders in adopted schools. The Dictionary Project, P.O. Box 1845, Charleston, SC 29402. (843-856-2706). Local contact: Clara Sitter (303-795-5517).

English as a Second Language (ESL). Lakewood Sunrise Club donates books to schools for the ESL program; 40+ members; $1500; 50 children. Contact: Cal Judson (303-526-5546).

Essay Contest. The Optimist International Essay Contest for students through age 18 begins at the club level and continues competitively to the international level with scholarships for winners. See the OI and District websites for information. Topic: Optimism should be a priority. District Contact: Carol West carolgwest@ (303-757-2424)

Health Literacy. “Healthy Body; Healthy Mind” was the focus for First Lady Opal Mills for the Optimist year 2009-2010. Contact Clara Sitter (303-795-5517 or csitter@du.edu) for information.

I Like Me Books. A personalized book for pre school or elementary age children to enhance reading, develops self-concept, and builds character. Books are $8.00 each. The Tamarac Club; Contact: Dottie Jefferies (720-876-1776).

Imagination Library. Books for 18 pre school kids; cost $540. Optimist Club of Boulder. Contact: Charles Dinwiddie (303-442-0661).

Internet Safety. Optimist International has programs for adults, children and teens. One packet with DVDs is available to each club by request; additional copies are $20 each. Clara Sitter (303-795-5517) csitter@du.edu

Kohl’s Cares for Kids. Kohl’s Department store offers books and coordinating stuffed animals for $5.00 each. All funds are donated to help children. In Denver area Kohl’s supports Children’s Hospital. New sets of books are offered 3 to 4 times each year. Often the books are award winning titles or books related to new movies. Books are appropriate for pre school education or early elementary schools. Contact: Kohl’s Department Stores. See the Brag Room at for samples.

Liberty Day. Liberty Day is headquartered in Colorado; with youth activities throughout the year. Andy McKean is an Optimist and has promoted the project at the Optimist International annual convention. Contact: Jimmie Sengenberger jimmy@ 303-518-4615

Mentoring. A number of clubs do mentoring through schools and through the Big Brother, Big Sister organization. Check with the school counselor or the school district volunteer coordinator. Les Sitter, Breakfast Club of Littleton, has worked with both organizations (303-795-5517 or les@).

Oratorical Contest. This OI contest is for students. Students submit a speech on the pre-assigned topic to their local Optimist Club. Club winners compete at the District Level; District winners compete at the International Level. More than $150,000 in college scholarships is awarded annually from this program. Subject: How my optimism will help me press on to greater achievements of the future. District contact: Joe DeRose joederose4000@ (303-477-8808)

Pen Pal Project. The Tamarac Club started a pen pal writing project with elementary students. Contact: Jeanette Thompson (303-750-0792) jeanettethompson@

R.E.A.D. This literacy project pairs children and dogs to enhance reading. The program is supported by R.E.A.D. Reading Education Assistance Dogs. Children practice reading to the dogs and improve their reading scores. Clubs can help by donating books to the participating children or sponsoring a volunteer dog and owner. Twyla Buzick and her dog, Gabby, are experienced volunteers. Contact: Twyla Buzick (303-985-0655). [Paws for Reading is a similar program found in some public libraries.]

Read to Me Program. Program in six Arvada elementary schools serves Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grade students. Arvada Breakfast Club 14 members; 21 hours per week; $300; serving 360 children. Contact: Chuck Runge (303-422-7214).

Reader’s Theater. An opportunity for kids to participate in a theater group. Tamarac Club. Contact: Dottie Jefferies. ( 720-876-1776) dottiejeff@

Reading/Tutoring. This collaborative program with the Denver Public Schools trains volunteers to work with K-6 students who are below grade-level in reading. The South Denver Club; Contact: Bruce Ogin (303-355-7712) obruce1@.

Return to Reading. A program, sometimes coordinated through libraries, where volunteers read to nursing home residents on a regular basis. Contact: Clara Sitter (303-871-3587) csitter@du.edu

Spellbinders. National organization of volunteer storytellers with its beginning in Colorado. Storytellers work with schools, libraries, day care centers, etc. Typically spellbinders tell stories monthly (20-30 minutes for each class) in classrooms. See Spellbinder website () for local contacts. Contact: Les Sitter (303-795-5517).

Student Appreciation, Achievement and Recognitions. Many clubs recognize student achievement and improvement through “super citizen” awards in a number of ways including tee shirts, certificates, pins, etc. The Optimist Club of Alamosa gives books. Contact: Allyn Lewis (719-589-4733).

NOTE: Literacy Banner Patch. The CO-WY District focus on literacy began in 2002 with First Lady, Sheryl Overton (Tom) and has continued with support from each Governor. Each year there is a slightly different emphasis reflecting the annual theme: Literacy (YMCA) 2002-2003; Get on Board for Literacy 2003-2004; Believe in Literacy 2004-2005; Shine for Literacy 2005-2006; Love Literacy 2006-2007; R.E.A.D. for Literacy 2007-2008; High-5 for Literacy 2008-2009; Healthy Body—Healthy Mind 2009-2010; Literacy BUGs 2010-2011; Fly High for Literacy 2011-2012; Kids Rock & Read 2012-2013; Learning together with our Kids 2013-2014. Contact: Clara Sitter, Literacy Chair, (303-795-5517), Clara.Sitter@du.edu. Or Jeanette Thompson (303-750-0792) jeanettethompson@

Literacy Reports for 2014-2015 are due to by October 31, 2015. See address below to submit reports or to request a report form.

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