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Exeter man to lead world Optimist ClubsOct 05, 2010 (Reading Eagle - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Optimist Club members around the world do 65,000 community service projects every year, spend $78 million in their communities and help 6 million children. And an Exeter Township man is now one step away from leading that nonprofi t organization. On Friday, Jack Creswell took the position of presidentelect of Optimist International, and he'll become president next October. Creswell joined the club in 1969 after a neighbor invited him to a meeting of the Optimist Club of Daniel Boone and Douglassville. He was looking for a place to give back to his community and work with children. Creswell, who owned and operated Rocket Car Wash in Pottstown, said he tries to follow his father's advice about community service. "There's no sense waiting for your ship to come in without sending one out," he said. Optimist delegates at a recent convention in Denver, Colo., elected Creswell as president-elect, a position in which he will recruit and train leaders of dozens of Optimist districts and clubs around the world. When he becomes president, Creswell wants to look for new members and bring more focus to Optimist International. In 41 years, Creswell has taken a leadership role in all levels of the organization. The Daniel Boone Optimists have organized community events like a Halloween parade and the Community Days celebration in Douglassville. They also trained youth in public speaking. Today the group offers events such as an annual trout rodeo and child safety programs. Creswell is particularly proud of coaching local students in the annual speech contest. He gives pointers on aspects such as delivery, eye contact and voice modulation. Seven of his proteges have gone on to win state competitions. Creswell also is pleased about helping to create an international youth golf tournament in 1992. The tournament brings young people from all over the world to compete and get to know other cultures, Creswell said. The Optimist International Junior Golf Classic has grown to include more than 600 golfers from more than a dozen countries. Past participants include pro golfers Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson. Creswell has stayed with the Optimists because he loves helping children and seeing them smile. As president, Creswell said, he hopes to push members to rededicate themselves to the organization's mission: "To bring out the best in young people." Contact Erin Negley: 610-371-5047 or [email protected]. To see more of the Reading Eagle, or to subscribe, go to http://www.readingeagle.com. Copyright (c) 2010, Reading Eagle, Pa. Distributed by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services. For more information about the content services offered by McClatchy-Tribune Information Services (MCT), visit www.mctinfoservices.com, e-mail [email protected], or call 866-280-5210 (outside the United States, call +1 312-222-4544). |