The Helping Hands Program is unique to the Optimist Club of Greater Vienna and was the idea of and established by Past President Sheryl Friedley during her term in 1996-1997. The purpose of the program is to recognize a sixth grader from each of the 11 elementary schools in the club’s service area that goes “above and beyond” in helping to support school-related and extracurricular activities.

The students are nominated by the staff at their respective schools. They are invited to a club general membership dinner meeting, along with their parents and a teacher/school administrator, and acknowledged for their accomplishments. Each student is awarded a trophy/certificate and $300 to be spent, in coordination with the school principal/teacher, to support school activities.

HELPING HANDS AWARDS for 2010