Latest DTOC News
$5,000 Donation Presented To Camp Eagle Ridge
February 9, 2012
Photo by Rives Photography
Camp Eagle Ridge was established in 2010 by Dan Fritts in Collinsville, MS, as a nonprofit summer day camp for abled and special-needs children. This organization strives to develop in children the character qualities of determination, persistence, discipline, confidence, courage, and responsibility. The staff of Camp Eagle Ridge use a variety of therapeutic activities such as horseback riding, wall climbing, arts and crafts, and public speaking/presentations to build those qualities in the belief that they can assist children in building self-confidence to motivate themselves to succeed in school and pursue a higher education.
DTOC Membership became aware of the plans for Camp Eagle Ridge before it actually existed when Dan Fritts visited the club as a speaker and told of his dream of building Camp Eagle Ridge. After his first visit, the DTOC made a small donation of seed money to support Dan’s efforts. Over the next year, Camp Eagle Ridge began to take physical shape and soon after Dan found some suitable land in the Collinsville, MS area, the first children began showing up for summer camp.
To reach his dream, a lot still has to happen. Money has to be raised, buildings and activity areas have to be constructed. However, one of the foundational needs the Camp has is the need for easy access to water. While drinking water for humans will continue to be provided in bottles, there are a lot of areas in the camp where water is desperately needed. Pools cannot be built until water is available. Gardens can’t be grown without water. Horses and animals need drinking water. Cooling stations that spray water cannot be built. Bathrooms and cooking facilities cannot be built. In fact, many of the construction activities that will be coming in the future will need water to be completed.
Dan Fritts made the DTOC aware of this need almost a year ago and at the February 7th, 2012 meeting, after a lot of research and hard work by DTOC Member Dan Derrington, The Downtown Optimist Club presented a check to Dan Fritts and Camp Eagle Ridge for $5,000 to underwrite the installation of a water well. In recognition of his efforts, Dan Derrington was asked to make the formal presentation of the check. Dan Fritts graciously accepted the donation on behalf of the camp and made very clear the foundational role this water well will play in the future development of Camp Eagle Ridge.
It is worth mentioning that without community support of the Downtown Optimist Club’s Pancake Jubilee over the past 65 years, we could never make donations of this size to any organization. Thank you Meridian and Lauderdale County for supporting the DTOC efforts to support our youth!
The DTOC was honored to be able to support Camp Eagle Ridge and Dan Fritts’ efforts to help children. It will be exciting to see Dan’s dream become reality!
Click to learn more about Camp Eagle Ridge.
Fredie Carmichael Receives Membership Award
February 9, 2012
Photo by Rives Photography
DTOC Member and Meridian Star Editor Fredie Carmichael received a his 5 year membership award at the Tuesday, February 7, 2012 meeting of the Downtown Optimist Club. Fredie has served in several capacities over the years including one year as President of the DTOC. He has flipped a lot of pancakes over the years to help the club raise funds to donate to youth activities and has promoted the organization in his role as our liaison with the Meridian Star newspaper.
Current DTOC President Eddy Chaney presented the former President with his membership award.
Mark McDonald Speaks About The Submarine “USS Mississippi”
January 28, 2012
Mark McDonald & The USS Mississippi
On Tuesday, January 24th our speaker was Mark McDonald. Mark is the Commissioning Committee Chairman for the USS Mississippi, a Virginia-class submarine that will be put into service later this year.
From Wikipedia:
PCU Mississippi (SSN-782) is a Virginia-class submarine of the United States Navy, named for the state of Mississippi. The contract to build her was awarded to the Electric Boat Division of General Dynamics Corporation in Groton, Connecticut on 14 August 2003. PCU-Mississippi’s keel was laid down on 9 June 2010. PCU-Mississippi was christened on December 3rd, 2011 at General Dynamics Electric Boat in Groton, Connecticut. Allison Stiller, Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Navy, is the ship’s sponsor. The submarine is expected to be commissioned at a ceremony next June in Gulfport, Mississippi.
Jerry Fox Describes The UMVIM Ramp Ministry
January 17, 2012
On January 17th, 2012,
Jerry Fox came to speak to the DTOC membership about the ramp ministry of the United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (VIM) organization. Supported by local churches, this group provides accessibility for the elderly and disabled by installing ramps, steps and hand-rails.
The Meridian District VIM Ramp Project Ministry was started in May of 1999 in response to a local pastor’s request to build a ramp for a disabled man who lived near the church he was serving. Volunteers built a second ramp in 1999 and then built five more in 2000. In 2001, a total of thirty-one ramps were built in the five county area including Clarke, Kemper, Lauderdale, Neshoba, and Newton counties. In 2010, a total of 93 ramp projects were completed for the elderly and handicapped. Since the program started over 650 ramp, step and handrail produces have been completed.
Dusty Culpepper Receives 10-Year Award
January 17, 2012
After 10 years of faithful participation as a member of the Downtown Optimist Club of Meridian, Dusty Culpepper was awarded a plaque in appreciation for all the pancakes he’s flipped, mud he’s tracked home from the t-ball field and leadership he has shown throughout his years of service!
Dusty Culpepper works at Anderson Regional Medical Center and coaches youth in various sporting events.
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