Good morning fellow YaYa Optimists, the GATEway District 2nd Quarter Conference will be February 20-22, 2026 at Hilton Garden Inn, Augusta, GA. Charlie Romano has reached out to a Non-Profit Organization in the Augusta area and has arranged for a representative of Cheryl’s Kitchen Food to speak at our meeting Saturday afternoon. Below is more information on this organization.
Items needed are as follows:
Canned Foods: soups, meat, jelly, sealed peanut butter, vegetables, any protein goods/snacks.
Please bring your donation(s) to the Conference or if you are unable to attend the Conference and would like to support our Community Service Project, you may make a donation by sending check to Mary Still, Treasurer of YaYa Xpress, her address is 3519 Emperor Way, Tucker GA 30084. Make check to: YaYa Xpress and she will write a check from the Club for total collected.
As always, your participation is appreciated and I assure you your donation to Cheryl’s Kitchen Food is appreciated.
Regards,
Tony Wesby, President
Linda Brown, Secretary
FAMILY YMCA OF GREATER AUGUSTA GEORGIA
ABOUT CHERYL’S KITCHEN
At the Family YMCA of Greater Augusta, we believe that no child should go hungry. Cheryl’s Kitchen Food Program provides free, nutritious meals and snacks to children, families and individuals in need. Since March 2020, we’ve served over 3.3 million meals across Georgia and South Carolina, thanks to our dedicated staff, volunteers and community partners. Whether through our Summer Food Service Program, Y on the Fly meal deliveries or food pantries, we are committed to ensuring every child has access to the nourishment they need.
“Our Y is here to make sure children and families in every neighborhood have access to the nourishment they need to thrive,” said Catie McCauley, CEO of the Family YMCA of Greater Augusta. “This program is a reflection of our mission to support youth development and eliminate barriers to well-being.”
All posts by albert_still
Family Activities To Make This Fall Season Fun!
Children flourish when their lives are filled with fun and purposeful activities. Creative pursuits stimulate imagination, spark meaningful discussions, and encourage personal development.
These activities also create valuable opportunities for families to connect, learn, and grow together. For instance, a family hike or walk not only encourages exploration of nature but also fosters a sense of calm and togetherness.
Similarly, replacing screen time with shared activities like working on puzzles can strengthen family bonds, promote teamwork, and provide much-needed mental breaks. These experiences deepen connections and support emotional well-being within the family.
If you’re looking for some creative ways to spend quality time as a family, download or print our 14 fun activities to bring families together at home this holiday season.
Thank you to Respectfulways.com!
2026 Essay Contest
Topic:
“How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community Means to Me”
Click for a copy of the 2025-2026 Essay Contest Application
The Essay Contest is sponsored by Optimist International to give young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live. The approach can encompass a young person’s personal experience, the experience of their country or a more historical perspective. In additional to developing skills for written expression, participants also have the opportunity to win a college scholarship!
This contest is open to students under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2025 and who have not yet completed secondary school or its equivalent. There is no minimum age. Essays must be typewritten and double-spaced and contain not less than 700 and no more than 800 words. Works of fiction or poetry are not eligible.
Required items with entry:
Optimist International Essay Contest Application for 2025-26 -Must be signed by contestant and parent or guardian
Legible copy of birth certificate or passport
Typed copy of essay
Submit by January 15, 2026 to albert_still@yahoo.com
Club winner advances to the Zone contest to compete.
2 nd Quarter Service project
YaYa members this is our 2 nd Quarter Service project:
Family Promise of Athens (formerly the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Athens, Inc.) is a non-
profit organization committed to providing housing supports to families with children who are
facing or experiencing the crisis of homelessness.
Family Promise Athens currently need: Please bring to February 15 meeting
Laundry Detergent (prefer pods, but liquid is fine too)
Baby Wipes
New Pillows (adult and toddler size)
Toilet Paper
Paper Towels
Walmart, Kroger, Gas gift cards
If you cannot attend the meeting please donate using the link below
Donate to Ya Ya Xpress Optimist Club
Use the link above to donate to the
2 nd Quarter Service Project
Family Promise website for members to review if they are interested in
their mission. http://www.familypromiseathens.org
How my sponsor for tucker optimist club changed my life
I was living in Auburn, Alabama and coming to visit my Mother who was staying with my sister Mary Still, in Tucker, Georgia. Since I would come visit on weekends, Mary invited me to the Tucker Optimist Club meeting that was on Saturday mornings at the local Piccadilly. I used to be involved with another civic organization and I was very interested in what the Optimist did for kids and their community. Soon I became a member of the Tucker Optimist Club! I would leave Auburn, Alabama on Saturday at 5:30 a.m. Central time so I could make it to the 9:00 a.m. Eastern time Tucker Optimist Club meeting. I did this for almost three years until I relocated to the Atlanta area.
Mary has helped me grow so much through Optimist. Since January 31, 2012, I have served as District PGI Chair two times, currently I’m serving as President of the Tucker Optimist Club for the third time, President of Hope 4 Kids for the second time, District Optimist International Foundation Representative and District Social Media Chair. In the 9 years I have also served as a Lt. Governor twice, President of the YaYa Xpress Optimist Club, was treasurer of the YaYa club and a NCB Field Representative since 2016. I have traveled to many Optimist International Conventions with Mary.
Thank you Mary Still for introducing me to the Optimist organization.
wOW!!! join us on April 6 and become a optimist
Become a member of Optimist International! Develop a more positive, fulfilling outlook on life! Membership provides you with exclusive access to an organization dedicated to helping you become a better person.
Presentation by Steve Dennis, John Maxwell Team Director
Register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcvduGqqDkpHNLxdYKfFyeJEPVg-uxpaKBl After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
American Red Cross Blood Drive
March 15, 2021
First Christian Church of Atlanta
4532 Lavista Road
Tucker, GA 30084
To register to give blood please click here https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/donation-time
To volunteer to help email President@tuckeroptimistclub.org
Show us your optimism! show us your happy!
Optimist Club of Tucker in conjunction with Optimist International invite YOU to SHOW US! Children ages 11 and younger are invited to enter our Visual Arts contest with a painting or drawing depicting what makes them happy. Youth ages 12-18 are invited to show us their optimism by choosing a line from the Optimist Creed and bringing it to life in a photograph. Applications can be downloaded at optimist.org/member/activities1.cfm
International day of happiness
March 20, 2021 is the International Day of Happiness. To celebrate this day, the Tucker Optimist Club is helping the community and the kids of Tucker with a virtual and drive by Food and Diaper Drive for Networks Cooperative Ministry. Let’s put smiles on lots of faces in Tucker!
https://secure.givelively.org//donate/net-works-cooperative-ministry-inc/katherine-forster-1
2021 Essay Scholarship Contest
Topic:
“Reaching Your Dreams by Choosing Optimism”
For a copy of the 2021 Essay Contest Handout: https://www.optimist.org/Forms/20-21_Essay_Application.pdf
The Essay Contest is sponsored by Optimist International to give young people the opportunity to write about their own opinions regarding the world in which they live. The approach can encompass a young person’s personal experience, the experience of their country or a more historical perspective. In additional to developing skills for written expression, participants also have the opportunity to win a college scholarship!
This contest is open to students under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2020 and who have not yet completed secondary school or its equivalent. There is no minimum age. Essays must be typewritten and double-spaced and contain not less than 700 and no more than 800 words. Works of fiction or poetry are not eligible.
Required items with entry:
Optimist International Essay Contest Application for 2020-2021 -Must be signed by contestant and parent or guardian
Legible copy of birth certificate or passport
Typed copy of essay
Submit by February 22, 2021 to traderdak418@gmail.com
Club winner advances to the Zone contest to compete.