Why Are We Doing This?

Meet Our President and few of our members...

Find out why they volunteer their time.

Derek Gurney, President, says.....

Please allow me to introduce myself.

My name is Derek Gurney and I am the President of the Yuma Homefront Optimist Club. I am also the Proprietor of Outback Steakhouse in Yuma, AZ.

I have been married two years to Kelly and I have a one year old daughter, Hannah Mae Gurney. My wife is an eighth grade teacher at Woodard Jr. High where she teaches civics.

 I have lived in Yuma, AZ. nearly all of my life. Although I have never served in the armed forces, I have many friends who have. Over the years I have had several close friends get deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan. Also, I have had dozens of military wives work for me over the past five years at Outback Steakhouse. I have witnessed how it can be difficult for families to handle the trials and tribulations of life while a spouse is gone.

Whenever possible, I have tried to provide assistance to these families in any way I could find. Everywhere you go in Yuma, AZ you can find people who are compassionate towards the families who protect our freedom. I have been fortunate enough to meet several of these people and we were able to form the Yuma Homefront Optimist Club.

I am excited about the possibilities that are ahead of us in supporting our local military families.

Dick Turley says...

Whenever a man or woman is willing to don a uniform, take up arms and stand between me and the bad guys, well, then that person is due all the respect and support I can give him or her.