Barge Canal Optimist Club given international honor

The Barge Canal Optimist Club of Lockport has been honored by Optimist International with winning “Bragging Rights” for the 2012-2013 Optimist Year.

Always busy with service projects in the Lockport Community, Barge Canal Optimist Club was selected to display and share information regarding their partnership with the American Cancer Society Relay for Life of Lockport at the 94th annual International Convention in Milwaukee, Wis.

Club members Laurie Ferris and Peggy Allen shared with the 1,200 attendees how they teamed up with the American Cancer Society to celebrate the cancer survivors of their club, remember those who lost the battle and fight back to end cancer in our life-time. Participants voted the Barge Canal Optimist Display as No. 1 in Bragger Hall and earned the club the right to brag about their project and a registration to next year’s convention. Also in attendance at the convention were club members Audrey Jex, President-Elect, and Pauline Leacock, Membership Chair.

Barge Canal Optimist Club has been a part of the Relay for Life since it began in the area and has taken part by:

• Cheering on their very own club cancer survivors as they walk the survivors lap.

• Walking as a team behind their pink banner for the team lap.

• Walking in silence during the luminaria lap.

• Took part in the 2010 Cancer Prevention Study-3 — to better understand the genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors that cause or prevent cancer — ultimately eliminate cancer as a major health concern.

• Decorate our area according to the theme of Relay.

•Tell as many people we can about relay and invite them to participate.

• Selling suns and moons for $1 at local businesses to promote awareness

• Selling sno-cones, pie, popcorn, coffee, tea and water from the pink trailer.

• Selling “Fight Like a Girl” hats.

• Selling luminaria bags for $5 in Honor/Memory of those affected by cancer.

• Running a cake decorating contest for the 2010 Relay — Celebrate More Birthdays.

• Sponsoring the 4:30 a.m. coffee lap to award participants with a free cup of coffee and a chance to win a “Fight Like a Girl” hat.

“The Barge Canal Optimist Club is very proud of the recognition it has received from Optimist International and the participants of the convention,” Club Co-President Laurie Ferris said. “Only one club earns this recognition each year. But most importantly, our club is very proud of the work we have accomplished in the community and our partnership with the American Cancer Society.”

The Relay for Life of Lockport is just one of the many projects the Barge Canal Optimist take on each year for the betterment of our community and to carry-out our motto “Bringing out the Best in Kids”

For more information regarding the Barge Canal Optimist Club please contact Ferris at 867-3279 or Leacock at 438-0890.