Optimist International
Optimist Clubs are dedicated to "Bringing Out the Best in Kids" and do their part through community service programs. Since each Club is autonomous and run by members in their community, Optimists have the unique flexibility to serve the youth of their area in any way they see fit. Optimist Clubs see a need in their community and react to it.
Optimist International officially sponsors several International Programs: the Childhood Cancer Campaign, Internet Safety, the Optimist International Junior Golf Championships and the organization's scholarship contests (Essay Contest, Oratorical Contest and Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing). In addition, Optimist International encourages involvement in several other community activities:
- Respect for Law/Promotion of Non-Violence
- Youth Appreciation
- Youth Safety
There are 114,000 individual members who belong to 3,500 clubs. Optimists conduct 65,000 community service projects each year, spending $78 million in their communities. Annually, six million kids are positively affected by Optimist programs.