BNOC Calendar

Beads of Optimism

We have a cool new Childhood Cancer project, in association with St. Luke's Children's Hospital and MSTI (Mountain States Tumor Institute). MSTI diagnoses about 30 kids per year with cancer and approximately 200 kids are in active treatment. For these youngsters, MSTI is starting a commemorative bead program, "Beads of Optimism". Children receive a necklace with their name (in beads) when diagnosed, and they will receive special beads associated with specific procedures and visits they experience during treatment. For example, if a child undergoes a radiation treatment, they will receive a “glow in the dark” bead for their necklace. Cool, huh. As you can imagine, some of these necklaces will get quite long! The Boise Noon Optimist Club provided start-up funds and have pledged to keep the program funded year after year.

$1000 to get the program going! Hank with his necklaces Dyan & Lisa with BNOC beads.

Jake Plummer & Jeb Putzier Football Camp

For the past two years (2005, 2006) we've coordinated a youth football camp featuring Jake Plummer of the Denver Broncos. Jake usually brings along several other pro players who provide hands-on instruction. We also receive support from local high school football players.

We've helped numerous children in the past decade. Programs we've supported include the Hayes Shelter Home, Emancipation House, families through the Boise school system, Ronald McDonald House, Optimist Childhood Cancer Campaign, and the Salvation Army.

Santa Letters

On Christmas Eve, 2004, KBCI Channel 2 aired a special segment of "What a Great State" featuring the Boise Noon Optimist's Santa Letters! Paul Fredricks attended our December 21st meeting and shot footage for the story. Here's a bit of trivia, did you know that the BNOC has been answering Santa's letters for over 35 years? According to Gary Arbaugh, we answered approximately 650 that year.

Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY) Picnic
During the month of June, Boise hosts the annual Hugh O'Brian Leadership Conference. Every high school in Idaho selects one sophomore student to attend this dynamic and life-changing event. The Boise Noon Optimist Club puts together a great bar-b-q in the park and feeds lunch to all of these young people and the HOBY staff. These future leaders are motivated, enthusiastic, appreciative, and hungry!

To learn more about the Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Foundation, go to http://www.hoby.org/About/.

Operation Bear Care
Every February we collect new stuffed animals during a BSU basketball home game. We also receive donated bears from Home Federal Bank customers. Each year, 100's of these cuddly toys are given the Victim-Witness Units of the Boise Police Department and Ada County Sheriff's Office.