Erin Dickerson’s Prayer
Heavenly Father,
Your son taught us the Parable of the Mustard Seed. How something so small can grow into something big, become invasive, and take over. It is more important now than ever for us to plant and spread the seeds of optimism wherever we go. Help us to brighten the lives of all those we encounter and make the world a better place one seed at a time.
Amen.
Announcements
- Debe Dockins announced that there will be a Kentucky Derby Party on May 6th, 2023. Wear your most outrageous hat to win a fabulous prize. Signups are available online and the cost is $10. Charlie Tapp will be making mint juleps and betting will be managed by Karl Frydryk. Bring food to share and enjoy the fellowship. Sign up on the website here.
- Debe Dockins announced that the regional Oratorical contest will be held at the Centerville Library on April 29, 2023.
- Mike Bevis announced that a new Optimist club is being built in Springfield. If you know anyone in Springfield, let them know about the opportunity to become a member of Optimist International in their own hometown.
- Mike Bevis announced that the golf outing will be on July 17, 2023. The committee needs many more donors. Let people and businesses know that we are accepting donations of cash and items like gift cards.
- Erin Dickerson announced that Andy Dickerson needs someone to run the pretend plastic fish casting station at the Family Adventure Day at the RecPlex on Saturday, April 29, 2023. Please help! Andy will provide the training for the easy station to run. There are no worms or real fish to deal with. Erin, Andy and their children are normally available, but this year they will all be at the Ohio District conference.
- Erin Dickerson announced that “The Castle” Fishing Day will be held on May 1, 2023, at the RecPlex. They need several volunteers from 10:30 AM to 2 PM. They need help with setup, fishing, cooking, and cleanup. Erin expressed that this event was transformational for her and highly recommends you experience it for yourself all while having a great time! Sign up on the website here.
- Governor Bill Stone announced that the next district conference is on April 28 and April 29, 2023. It will be a fun time. You will meet other Optimist members in Ohio.
- Kelly Stone announced that for the third quarter Ohio District Conference she is collecting items to be assembled for care packs for residents of The Family House in Toledo. The Family House offers transitional housing for homeless families and is a ministry supported by the Toledo Optimist Club. Below is the list of items needed. Please drop items off at a noon meeting or work out a time get your items to Bill or Kelly Stone prior to the Ohio District meeting on April 28, 2023.
- Needed travel size Hygiene products: Shampoo, Conditioner, Soap, Hand Lotion, small packs of tissues, toothbrushes, Toothbrush cases, Toothpaste, inexpensive washcloths, Q tips, Cotton Balls, Band-Aids, Razors, Feminine hygiene products, condoms, deodorant, small packs of baby wipes, individually wrapped snacks.
- Joan Cordonnier announced that Centerville High School Theater will be performing the funny play, “Curtains” on 4/21, 4/22, 4/28, and 4/29/2023.
- Erin Laurito announced that the top ten finalists have been chosen for the Got Talent contest. The live show will be on May 3, 6:30 PM at CHS. Spread the word so we can fill the seats. Doors open at 6 PM.
- Tom Novak announced that the flag committee is looking for fifty empty shoe boxes to use as templates to paint the arrows on curbs to make the flag sleeves easier to find when flags are delivered.
- Jane Fiehrer, co-chair with Deb Saunders of the Visual Arts Contest, announced the contest has been extended until May 15, 2023. The contest is open to all area kids aged eleven or lower as of October 1, 2022. Please let kids know like your children and grandchildren. Kids can submit pictures of their art online.
- Bob Lawson announced that he needs lots more volunteers for Family Adventure Day at the RecPlex on Saturday, April 29, 2023. There is a shortage of volunteers because the Ohio District meeting is on the same day. Please help if you can, especially if you can bait a hook and remove fish from a hook. Use the Member Calendar to sign up.
Sleep in Heavenly Peace, Mike Watkins
Mike Bevis introduced, Mike Watkins, the Butler County Ohio Chapter President of Sleep in Heavenly Peace (SHP) since 2018. SHP is a national organization with local chapters that provides beds for children who do not have access to them.
Mike Watkins graduated from the University of Dayton with a degree in Electrical Engineering and went on to attend Naval Nuclear Power School. Mike is President of the Monroe Soccer Association and volunteers at Back 2 Back Ministries. In addition, he is also the owner of Autoworks in Middletown and a Professor at Sinclair. He was an Automation Engineer at KMH Systems.
SHP Butler County’s Facebook page is https://www.facebook.com/SHPButlerOH/.
View Mike Watkins slide deck here.
About Sleep in Heavenly Peace
Sleep in Heavenly Peace was founded 13 years ago by Luke and Heidi Mickelson, who recognized the need for beds for children in his community. He started building beds and delivering them to those in need. In 2018, Mike Rowe featured SHP on his show “Returning the Favor,” which inspired Mike Watkins and his wife to receive training and start their own chapter of SHP. They are a 501 (c) (3) charitable organization.
SHP has grown to over 300 chapters nationwide, with two in Canada and one in Jamaica. In Butler County alone, SHP has delivered over 2,500 beds, with another 150 kids on the waiting list. Nationally, SHP has built over 150,000 beds to date and receives bed requests almost every day, largely through social media.
SHP’s mission is to help children in need sleep better, as they believe that a bed is a basic need for proper physical, emotional, and mental support. SHP serves children aged 3-17, with a focus on single moms (60%) and grandparents who suddenly find themselves caring for children. The bed design is set, and no customization is done because of insurance. SHP uses brand new mattresses and referrals come from social services, school liaisons, and word of mouth. Requests can also be made on their website.
Motto
No kid sleeps on the floor in our town!
Build Days – Costs and Details
SHP’s sponsored Build Days provide most of the funding for the organization. They provide both the money and the labor and, in just 3-4 hours, they have built as many as 140 beds, with an average of 50-60 beds per Build Day. Sponsors include Kohls, Lowe’s, and Rotary, with Lowe’s being the largest donor, providing over $1 million per year. The cost is $200-$250 per bed, with the mattresses costing $85. Most of the wood for the beds comes from Lowe’s and orders are placed in bulk to lower delivery costs.
Getting Involved
Those interested in getting involved with SHP can participate in Build Days, which do not require any tools, as everything is provided. Build Days require about 3,000 to 4,000 square feet of space and sometimes they build outside in nice weather. Build Day locations include school and church gyms, as well as store warehouses. Erin Laurito, a member of the Centerville Noon Optimist Club, shared that she participated in a Build Day and found it to be a moving experience.
Use links on this webpage to join the team or sponsor a build.
Thank You
Thank you, Mike Watkins, for educating us on how Sleep in Heavenly Peace helps children and how we can get involved.
2022-2023 CNO Officers and Board of Directors is Official
Jean Pummill, CNO Secretary, presided over the motions and vote to accept the following people for Optimist Year 2023-2024:
- President Elect: Paul Boeckman
- Vice Presidents: Katie Calloway and Evelyn Griffin
- Board of Directors for 2-year terms: Mike Creech, Dennis Dockins, Jim Mogan, Steve Rau, Deb Saunders
- Board Members with 1 year left to serve: Mitch Bodenmiller, Andy Dickerson, Rachel Goetz, Art Hung, Carol Smerz
- Past president representative: Nancy Lehren
- Beth Duncan will serve as the Immediate Past President
- The incoming president chooses the Treasurer and Secretary. Roland Rapp has been chosen as Treasurer and Jean Pummill as Secretary. They are both currently serving in those positions.
Mike Creech, Elected to Board of Directors
Mike has been a member of CNO since 1/17/2022.
Mike spoke:
I will do my best for the club. Thank you to Paul Boeckman for fining me every week so that people got to know me.
Welcome Guests
| Guest | Guest Of |
| Christopher Brunett | Ron Tinnerman |
| Gordon Lowden | Jack Anderson |
| Joe Roderer | Jack Anderson |
| Mike Watkins | Speaker |
New Member Readings and Inductions
| Name | Sponsor | 1st 2nd 3rd Reading or Induction |
| Mark Metzger | Debe Dockins | 1st Reading |
| Lyla Ward | Carol Smerz | 3rd Reading |
| Andrea Bublitz | Diane Arehart | 3rd Reading |
| Sharon Baker | Beth Duncan | Induction |
Happy Bucks
| Member | Reason |
| Mike Brubaker | Celebrating 53rd Wedding Anniversary with Sue. |
| Andy Higgins | Neighbors returned his lost cat. |
| Rene Glenn | Daughter has a new job. |
| Rene Glenn | Paid off home mortgage early. |
| Rene Glenn | Started a new job where she will be much happier. Thank you to Mike Bevis. |
| Paul Boeckman | Had his first grandchild. |
| Paul Boeckman | Officially will be President of CNO starting 10/1/2024. |
| Louise Haun | Youngest son finished his second marathon in just 3 hours. |
| Mary Madden | Happy to be back and see all of her good friends again. |
| Jean Pummill | Fourth great grandchild was welcomed in March. |
| Beth Duncan | Happy Sharon Baker has been inducted into the club. |
| Gail Aiken | Happy to be at a meeting. |
| Gary Smiga | For the Brubaker’s showing us all how you can be married for 53 years and be an Optimist. They were sitting at two different tables at today’s lunch meeting. |
| Joan Cordonnier | Happy board elections are offical. She looks forward to being President on 10/1/2023 with these great board members. |
Sergeants at Arms
| Member | Infraction |
| Dave Kay | Messing up the sergeants neatly stacked money. |
| Kelly Stone | Saying something the sergeants did not like. |
| Beth Duncan | Not wearing her Optimist pin at her company’s 10th anniversary party. |
| Beth Duncan | Lost the bell and the gavel. |
| Gail Aiken | Attending a meeting finally after a large gap in attendance. Welcome back! |
| Joe Madden | After a long absence Mary Madden was able to attend the meeting. Welcome back! |
| Ron Tinnerman | Attending a meeting finally after a large gap in attendance. Welcome back! |
| Several People at the Birthday Table | Everyone at the birthday table that does not have an April Birthday. |
| Jack Anderson | Attending a meeting finally after a large gap in attendance. Welcome back! |
| Charlie Goodwin | Made a mess with the gravy at lunch. |
Membership Anniversaries
| Member | Joined | Years |
| Mark Karns | April 18, 2019 | 4 |
| Judy McFadden | April 18, 2019 | 4 |
| Pam Truitt | April 18, 2019 | 4 |
| Andrew Cain | April 19, 2018 | 5 |
| Stan Fronzaglia | April 19, 1999 | 24 |
| Vida McDowell | April 19, 1999 | 24 |
| Mark Petre | April 22, 1996 | 27 |
| Mark Petre | April 24, 2012 | 11 |
Birthdays
| Denise O’Neil | April 18 |
| Steve Mays | April 21 |
| Tom Young | April 21 |
| Mike Brem | April 22 |
| Keith Meyer | April 23 |
CNO Donations – 2013 through March 2023
Click here to see a summary of donations the club has made since 2013
Thank You Notes Received
CLICK HERE to see the Thank You Notes we received this week.