Inspiring Youth in Douglassville

 We are so happy to announce our $1,800 donation to Blazer Midget Football & Cheer to help pay for 34 new shoulder pads, which are essential to player safety. It was great to meet with officials and players from the team last night. Daniel Boone Optimist Club President Lydia Rieger presented Blazer Midget Football & Cheer Treasurer Andrew Filopanti and President Troy Friend with a symbolic check. 

Congratulations to Daniel Boone Area Middle School student Amelia Fretz, our club-level winner of our Essay Contest. This year's Topic was "How My Acts of Service Help Me Understand What My Community means to me. Amelia, a 7th grader, earned a $200 award and advanced to the District level competition, where the winner is awarded a $2,500 scholarship. Also in this photo is Essay Contest Chairperson Anne Pyle. 

 Recently we honored the winners and participants of this year's Visual Arts Competition. This year's topic: Be Bold - Be the Change.

Club Level winners for the up to 7 years age group are: 1st Place, Maria Gomes, who placed 2nd Place in the District level competition; 2nd Place, Josie Hickman, 2nd who placed 1st Place at the District level; and 3rd Place, Liera Park.

Club level winners for the 8 to 11 years age group are: First Place, Aloe Hails, who placed 2nd Place at the District level; 2nd Place, Rosalie Mariano; and 3rd Place Wyatt Willits.

On Feb, 19, 2026, the Daniel Boone Optimist Club honored two local law enforcement members during the club's annual Respect for Law Program.

State Trooper Justine Kline, second from the left in the photo, and Amity Police Officer Kevin Zeiber, forth from the left, were honored for the great work they did in 2025.

Officer Zeiber was chosen by his peers for this honor. He was hired with the Amity Township Police Department on Nov. 1, 2024. He joined the ranks with nine years prior police experience. He grew up in the Fleetwood area and graduated from Oley Valley High School. In 2008 he put himself through the Reading Police Academy and started  his career working part time for Sinking Spring Borough Police Department.

Officer Zeiber lives in Reading with his wife and son. 

Trooper Kline is a 2012 graduate of Daniel Boone Area High School. He earned his bachelor's in Criminal Justice from Temple University and graduated from the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in 2017. He is assigned to Troop L (Jonestown) Vice Narcotics Unit.

During 2025 Trooper assisted in numerous cases with several federal. state, county and local agencies. He was the lead investigator in numerous investigations including a three month long confidential investigation that led to multiple seizures, arrests, and warrants, spanning all the way to Puerto. His investigations in 2025 resulted in 59 arrests, 34 search warrants, 27 seized guns, $105,000 in seized cash and the seizure of large quantities of narcotics. 

The Respect for Law Program is an initiative designed to foster a deeper understanding and appreciation for the rule of law among individuals, especially young people. By promoting awareness of legal principles and the importance of lawful behavior, the program aims to build a responsible and informed community that values justice, equality and civic duty. Over a quarter of a million law enforcement officers have been honored by thousands of Optimist Clubs around the world for 50 years.

Others in the photo from left are Anne Pyle, Madelyn Minehart and Matt Robb, all members of the club's Respect for Law Committee.

 On Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2025, members of the Daniel Boone Optimist Club visited with the Daniel Boone Area High School Band to present them with a new bass trombone that the Optimist Club purchased for the Daniel Boone Music Department.

The Daniel Boone Music Boosters requested a donation so the band could add a bass trombone, and the Daniel Boone Optimist Club was happy to support this request.

Attending were members of the Daniel Boone Music Boosters (Lori Falstich, President); Band Director Andrew Puleo; Daniel Boone Optimist Club members Curtis Clifford and Matthew Robb; and members of the band's brass ensemble.