The Owen Sound and District Junior Optimists are proud that a founding member, Parker Davis, has been awarded Owen Sound’s 2023 Youth Volunteer of the Year. Parker makes time to volunteer despite a very busy sports schedule, his job as a YMCA lifeguard, and maintaining an Ontario Scholar status for each year of high school.
Parker has served as OSDJO president since it began three years ago, and in that time this youth community service club has donated over $36,000 to international causes such as humanitarian relief in Ukraine and fighting for women’s rights in Iran, as well as our local women’s shelter, animal shelter, hospice, food bank, and Legion.
The Owen Sound Junior Optimists also contribute to our community by participating in activities such as the Coldest Night of the Year walk, youth mental health awareness, kindness postcards for seniors and military service personnel, as well as assisting in Earth Day Grey Bruce, Spring into Moreston (Grey Roots Museum), and the local Orange Shirt Day ceremony.
The award was presented at the City of Owen Sound Council Meeting on June 12, and in his acceptance speech Parker thanked all the members and advisors of the Owen Sound Junior Optimists for their efforts and said he hoped to follow the example provided by 2023 Volunteer of the Year Carol Reaney, and Senior of the Year Joan Beecroft, who both provide countless hours of outstanding support to our community.
The Owen Sound Junior Optimists are looking forward to their upcoming fundraising BBQs in Hibou Park on June 24 and Bognor for Canada Day, as well as their Indigenous Reconciliation activities in Annan on June 30.
