Posted on Aug 31, 2016 in
FEATURES
Terry Stoner and Bill Johnson.
By Joan Frances –
Children are the future of this world, and as a devoted volunteer and charter member of the Fort Bend Optimist Club of Sugar Land for over 33 years, Bill Johnson continues to believe in young people and the Optimist Club motto, “Friend of Youth.” Chartered in 1983, The Fort Bend Optimist Club of Sugar Land’s purpose is to “aid and encourage the development of youth in the belief that the giving of one’s self in service to others will advance the well-being of humankind, community life and the world.” Since 1919, Optimist Clubs worldwide have been meeting the needs of young people with fundraising for scholarship opportunities and through the generosity of its volunteers like Johnson.
Residents of Quail Valley since 1974, Bill and his wife, Margo, attended college together and were married in 1973. They retired about a year ago. The Optimist Club began the 5K Fun Run as a fundraiser in 1983, and Johnson became the race director in 1985. He served as the club’s president twice and as a lieutenant governor for the South Texas Optimist International District. Johnson has remained the race director for 32 years and has attended every race. “It is so exciting to see the participation and energy at this event every year,” Johnson said. “I have watched it grow from a small fun run to a highly anticipated and successful fundraiser. It makes all the hard work worthwhile.”
The start of the Fort Bend Optimist Club of Sugar Land’s Annual Fun Run and Walk.
Through the years, the number of race participants has been up to 500 runners and walkers and usually around 250 entrants. This year, the fundraising date is set for Sunday, November 6th at Sugar Land Memorial Park, located at 15300 University Boulevard. As race director, Johnson oversees all of the actual run activities. He has the route designated and marked, arranges for the timing of the runners, determines the winners of each age group, schedules Boy Scout Troop 1631 to handle directions on the course, coordinates with the City for the park, obtains a parade permit, sets up the start and finish line for both the run and the walk and assembles all signage, gates and necessary equipment.
Student volunteers help the Scouts with the finish line, the silent auction and set up and clean up for the activities. All of the Optimist members participate in some way, whether through hands-on work, fundraising, organizing refreshments, providing sound systems, decorating at the event and soliciting participants both for the Fun Run and the sponsor supporters. Mike Harness, a member of the Fort Bend Optimist Club of Sugar Land’s board of directors, said, “Like any successful team, it takes a good quarterback to call the signals, and Bill has been doing that for 33 years! He is a self-starter, an avid Optimist and a great leader.”
Thanks to Johnson and his team of volunteers, the event raises more than $20,000 in a good year, and last year, with all of the club members and President Terry Stoner, they raised even more. The funds stay in Fort Bend County and are used to provide scholarships to more than a dozen Fort Bend ISD and Stafford MSD students every year in the $1,000 dollar plus range. In addition to the run, Johnson and other Optimist volunteers orchestrate an oratorical contest, an essay contest and a student recognition banquet at Sweetwater Country Club to recognize graduating seniors from every area high school for their extracurricular service to the community. The devotion and commitment Johnson has to orchestrate the Fun Run every year is a testimonial to the great people who live in Fort Bend County.
For more information on the November 6th run, visit fboptimist.org.
