Secretary of State Karen Handel will make the Forsyth-Cumming
Optimist Club's Sept. 11 meeting its biggest of the year.

The event is one of only two club fundraisers, said president Mark
Sosnik.

"It's a fundraiser for us to help children in the community," he
said. "The idea of having Karen was that it was a draw to help
support our kids and help support attention to new membership."

Sosnik said he recently heard Handel speak at another gathering,
where she was very patriotic.

"Part of our function as an Optimist Club is to support our local and
state leaders, so this is a way of doing that," said Sandy Orr, who
will take over as club president in October. "We're just hoping for a
good turnout."

Added Sosnik: "She is also very much for the children. This is not a
politically motivated event. It's for families and children."

The Optimist Club, which prides itself on being a "friend of youth,"
has participated in many events for children, including Toys for Tots
and a youth oratorical contests with the school system.

For the past two years, the club's main fundraiser has been the
Avenue of Flags.

For an annual cost of $35, club volunteers will place 3-by-5-foot
flags in a participant's lawn every President's Day, Memorial Day,

Flag Day, Independence Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day.

Money raised from the service goes toward the club's scholarship
program and other youth-oriented initiatives.

The club recently reached its 500-flag goal.

Between money from the Avenue of Flags and the Sept. 11 meeting,

Sosnik said the club will be able to continue to give back to children.

In addition to a speech from Handel, the event will feature the Army
National Guard's color guard.