East Ridge Optimist Club

10/13/2026

The East Ridge Optimist Club recently welcomed a new year of leadership with our annual officer inductions! We were pleased to be joined by the Scenic City Optimist Club for the occasion as their officers were installed as well.

We were especially honored to welcome Optimist International Foundation President Deanna Morrow as our guest speaker and installing officer. Her words of encouragement and leadership were a wonderful way to begin the year!

2026–2027 East Ridge Optimist Club Officers

President: Ginger Howard
Secretary: Kimberly Meyers
Treasurer: James L. C. Meyers
Directors: Ken Davis, James Hathcock, Amanda Hearn, and Josh Walker
Optimist International Foundation Representative: Aundie Witt
Lieutenant Governor for the District: Jennifer Howard

Congratulations to all our officers, and thank you for your willingness to serve another year! We also extend our heartfelt thanks to Past President Jim Howard and Board Members Shelley Williams and Teresa Mackey for their dedication and service to our Club over the past two years.

Here's to another great year of serving our community and bringing optimism to East Ridge! 💙💛

10/13/2026

Who says committee meetings have to boring?The BBQ Committee kicking up their heels at their meeting tonight.

10/07/2026

Club Meetings - October 2026
📅 Tuesday 10/13 & 10/27
📍 East Ridge Community Center @ 6:30 PM

Curious about what it means to be an Optimist? Send us a message and let's connect. We’d love to welcome you!

10/06/2026

Our Club set up a booth at this year's East Ridge Fall Festival 🍂🌞. It was a scorcher, but our members still managed to bring the optimism with bottles of water and Booo-B-Que tickets for pre-sale.

Want to support our Club? Find out more about our annual Booo-B-Que Fundraiser - tickets are on sale now!
📲 https://www.eastridgeoptimistclub.org/booo-b-que

09/29/2026

🎃🔥 13th Annual Booo-B-Que! 🔥🎃

📅 Saturday, October 31st, from 11 AM to 2 PM
📍 East Ridge City Hall | 1517 Tombras Avenue, East Ridge, TN 37412

🌐 Order day of or pre-order online now through October 26th:
[https://www.eastridgeoptimistclub.org/booo-b-que]

Proceeds benefit the youth and Optimist programs that serve our community.

👉 SHARE this post and help us spread the word!

09/18/2026

Here's our 9/11 Luncheon of Honor featured in the local East Ridge News Online. 😀

The East Ridge Optimist Club hosted its annual 9/11 Luncheon of Honor at East Ridge Fire Rescue, bringing together community members, first responders, city employees, and elected officials to remember those lost on September 11, 2001, and honor the first responders who serve East Ridge today. Serge...

09/15/2026

For those wishing to pay respects to former Club member Jacky Cagle, the family has shared the following funeral arrangements.

As our community continues to remember and honor Councilman Jacky Cagle, the City of East Ridge shares the following funeral arrangements provided by his family.

The family will receive friends at Chattanooga Funeral Home East on Wednesday, September 16th, from 4:00pm until 8:00pm, and on Thursday, September 17th, from 11:00am until 12:00pm.

Funeral services will begin at 12:00pm on Thursday, September 17th.

The City continues to extend its heartfelt thoughts and prayers to Jacky’s wife, Donna, their family, and all those mourning this tremendous loss.

The full obituary and additional information are available at:
https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/east-ridge-tn/jacky-cagle-13036910

A lifetime of service. A lasting legacy in . 🤍

09/14/2026

The East Ridge Optimist Club is deeply saddened by the passing of longtime member Jacky Cagle. Jacky served our club and our community with a steady spirit, a thoughtful mind, and a genuine desire to make things better for the people of East Ridge. His years of service reflected exactly what Optimism is about — showing up, working hard, and believing in the potential of others.

We are grateful for the time, energy, and heart he invested in this club. Many of us have shared stories over the years about Jacky and the respect he earned throughout our community.

We extend our heartfelt condolences to his wife, Donna, and to the entire Cagle family. Our prayers are with you, and we honor Jacky’s legacy of service and optimism.

It is with profound sadness that the City of East Ridge announces the passing of Councilman Jacky Cagle.

For nearly half a century, Jacky dedicated his life to serving the people of East Ridge first as a City employee from 1976 to 2010 and later as a member of the East Ridge City Council from 2014 to 2026.

Through every chapter of his service, Jacky worked to leave East Ridge stronger and better than he found it. His dedication to our community, the relationships he built, and the legacy he leaves behind will not be forgotten.

“We are overwhelmed by the loss of Council Member Jacky Cagle,” said Mayor Brian Williams. "He was a friend and someone who truly cared about East Ridge and the people who call our community home.

The City of East Ridge extends its heartfelt thoughts and prayers to his wife, Donna, and their family during this incredibly difficult time. May they find strength and comfort in knowing how much Jacky meant to so many people and how deeply he will be missed."

Information regarding arrangements will be shared once it has been finalized and made publicly available by the family.

A lifetime of service. A lasting legacy in ! 🤍

09/11/2026

Today, the East Ridge Optimist Club gathered for our annual 9/11 Luncheon of Honor—a time to remember those we lost on September 11, 2001, and recognize the men and women who serve our community.

Congratulations to this year’s honorees, Sergeant Stephen Rhudy, Police Officer of the Year, and Lieutenant Joshua Williams, Firefighter of the Year, recognized for their service and bravery during a major apartment fire in East Ridge.

Today’s luncheon reflects one of our Club's core tenets: Respect for Law Enforcement. We’re proud to honor those who run into the storm and bring hope to those who need it.

We’re grateful for all the first responders, city employees, and community servants who care for the people of East Ridge every day. Thank you for all that you do.

09/08/2026

Every year, the East Ridge Optimist Club hosts our 9/11 Luncheon of Honor for all East Ridge city employees. It's one of our favorite traditions - giving back to the people who keep our city running every single day.

At this event, we're proud to recognize the Police Officer of the Year and Firefighter of the Year, celebrating their dedication, courage, and service to our community.

Our Club is showing up for East Ridge - supporting the people who support our city, investing in our youth, and continuing the work that makes our community stronger. We're grateful for every opportunity to serve, and we appreciate those who stand with us as we do.

Thank you, East Ridge city employees, for all you do. We're honored to celebrate you.