An Optimistic Kind of Love

by Stephanie Elgin

She was a girl from Brooklyn, New York with two sons and he a native Californian who lived at home with his parents.  Somewhere along the way, they met and have been happily together ever since.
“I migrated to California with my two sons,” states Dee. “After being out here for about a year and half, I met Mike.”  They met at a bar called the Point After and a year later they married.  “He will deny the fact that he asked me to marry him on our second date, but the truth is he did” states Dee.  Just a year after they were married, Mike adopted her two sons, Keith and Craig.  “Funny thing is when Mike adopted the boys we had new birth certificates issued and it shows that when the boys were born, Mike was in high school living in California, while I was living in Brooklyn.  That’s what you call a real long distance relationship!”
Mike and Dee moved to the Santa Clarita Valley in May of 1972 and have called it home ever since.  “Over the years we have been involved in many projects from Frontier Days to the Fourth of July parade,” states Dee, “but our biggest commitment is to the Optimist Organization.”
Mike and Dee are both members of the SCV-Newhall Optimist Club, a club that was chartered back in 1987 by Mike’s old Canyon Country Club.   “When that folded Mike joined the SCV Club,” states Dee.
The SCV-Newhall Optimist Club became the first official all Women’s club ever to be charted by a previously male dominated organization, this included Lions, Kiwanis, and Rotary (they all followed suit later on). Dee was the first official female member as well as club president. “Three months later we accepted the first man into our all woman’s group,” states Dee, “and today the Club consists of both men and women.
 Throughout the years both Mike and Dee have been involved with many projects. “One of our favorites that are very near and dear to us would definitely be Santa’s Magic. This one entails the placement of food boxes in every single supermarket in our community.  We ask the community for their help by placing non-perishable foods and toys in the boxes.  At Christmas, we feed those in need.  We also head to Peter J. Pitchess Detention Center in Castaic and give presents to all the visiting children of the inmates.”  Each child receives a present from Santa, aka Mike, who’s played Santa Claus for the last 12 years.
From a child whose father passed away, asking Santa for a telescope to see her daddy’s star in the sky, to a family who was awaiting a new heart for their daughter, there were many heartfelt moments while Mike was in his “Santa” suit.  Unfortunately, Mike will not be able to play Santa this year due to the return of his cancer and chemotherapy treatments.  Mike has been battling cancer for the last five Santa appearances, but this time he will not be able to.  “We take it one day at a time, but as Mike will tell you, he has two options, ‘give up or fight’ and he is choosing to fight,” states Dee.
Dee is currently the Optimist Club President and has served several times in the past.  She has also served as Lieutenant Governor and District Governor. She is very involved with the Optimist Youth Home and Family Services and has served on the board for over 10 years.  She has also chaired the Optimist Youth Home and Family Services Festival of Trees for the last five years and is once again looking forward to this year’s event at the new venue, the Pasadena Hilton on December 6.  Mike has also served as Club President as well as a Lieutenant Governor. 
“Both Mike and I are blessed to live in this community,” states Dee, “ when we needed help several years ago, the community was there for us. The friendships that we have made will always be with us and we will continue to serve as long as God will let us.”