While the food was sumptuous, the dancing spirited and the company sublime, the true success of the Clarkston Optimist Club’s 20th anniversary gala on March 25 was evidenced by the $30,000 or so raised for the group’s future endeavors.
‘The community was very generous. I think we will be able to do a lot of good things for the kids of the community,? said Judge Kelley Kostin, current Clarkston Optimist Club president.
In the live auction which headlined the evening’s festivities, Kostin bid and won for her family the honor of sitting next to long time Clarkston High School public address announcer and optimist Dale Ryan in the press box as he calls the Wolves? homecoming football game this fall.
Kostin had an eye on the package having won it in past years, and added her husband Robert, a local attorney, especially looked forward to the opportunity to study Ryan’s prowess on the microphone as he himself handles the P.A. duties for the Clarkston Chiefs youth football games.
The live auction was an interesting place to reflect on the history of the Clarkston Optimist Club. While Kostin and others bid on a host of getaways, memorabilia and tickets, the club’s inaugural president, Jim Evans, served as auctioneer.
At one point in the live auction, Evans paused to reflect on the early days of the club, acknowledging the other two founding members who are still active ? local dentist Bruce Mercado and Dave Reschke, deputy superintendent for Clarkston Schools.
After the evening had wrapped up, Evans was through waxing on the past.
‘We raised close to $30,000. That’s the key, that was the goal. The first thing that allows us to continue supporting the 300 plus kids involved with the Optimists,? Evans said. ?(The money we raised) gives our students and our leaders knowledge that we are going to be there to support them.?
Reschke took up the reflective reins from Evans during the party, remembering the club’s beginnings and marveling at its growth.
‘I am proud the club has had 20 years of success in the community,? Reschke said. ‘Coming from not being a club at all to being a leading club in the state is a great accomplishment.?
In the live auction, Reschke took home the most recognizable item ? a hand-crafted rocking horse which looked as if it had galloped directly off a carousel. The horse, constructed from 12 different woods and consisting of 300 different pieces, was donated by John Koval. Reschke’s other live auction claim, was a week’s worth of relaxation in a Harrisville home donated by the McCrary family.
While some took it upon themselves to support the Optimists through bidding, others worked behind the scenes.
‘I was the guy who was bidding items up in value. That was part of the strategy,? said Clarkston Optimist Don Brose, who is the current governor for all Michigan Optimist clubs.
Brose was impressed with his home club’s soiree.
‘I thought it went very well. I know the money came in big time, people were very generous,? Brose said. ‘I’m sure we’ll have a 25th, hopefully a 50th. I think that would be a fun thing to be around.?
Brose also shared how the Clarkston Optimists are a leading light in his statewide theme of ‘Illuminating Our Youth.?
‘The main thing we do that nobody else does is the connection with the schools,? Brose said.
The Clarkston club has three Alpha Clubs across the Clarkston elementary schools, a Junior Optimist club at both Sashabaw Middle School and Clarkston Junior High School, and the Octagon club at the high school.
‘The club’s grown so much. We have a larger variety of members in terms of ages and gender. Because of that the club has had so many more opportunities to help,? Mercado said.
Members of surrounding optimist clubs were also struck by the enormity the Clarkston Optimist have reached.
‘This is a great event, a great success. It certainly shows a significant amount of support,? said State Representative John Stakoe, who is a member of the neighboring Huron-Clinton Optimist Club.
In what has become a tradition at the Clarkston Optimist Gala, the Dan Rafferty Band’s sweet grooves enticed many an optimist onto the dance floor even after dining on steak, fish and chicken followed by a chocolate fountain desert. The evening also featured door prizes and a silent raffle.
The gala is the Clarkston Optimist Club’s primary fund-raiser. Throughout the year, the club hosts essay and oratorical contests, a junior golf outing, youth appreciation program and student of the month program as well as other events. The club also provides college scholarships and endows a music scholarship program.
Last year, the organization donated $10,000 to the Renee Przybylski Memorial Spray Park and another $10,000 to fund Independence Township Parks and Recreation’s soccer fields.
The Optimists regular meetings are every Wednesday at 7:30 a.m. at Liberty Golf Course and are open to the public. For more information call Roger Diederich at 248-625-5915.