The Optimist Club of the Blue Ridge

The Optimist Club of the Blue Ridge is one of over 4,000 local clubs affiliated with Optimist International, one of the world's largest and most active service organizations. Almost 80 years old, Optimist International makes service to youth its major focus. Some of the international organization's projects have been related to day camps and homes for delinquent youth, Junior Optimist Clubs for young people, an annual oratorical contest, substance abuse prevention, organized father-son weeks, bike safety weeks, and youth appreciation weeks.

The Optimist Club of the Blue Ridge is in its eleventh year of activity in the Charlottesville area. Among its members are business people, professors, educators, students, and retirees. The special interest of the local group has largely involved projects for the benefit of disadvantaged youngsters, especially the promotion of literacy, responsible parenting (particularly fathering), and conduct of worthwhile activities for disadvantaged and handicapped youth.

Members of the local organization have contributed time and energy to numerous construction and maintenance projects, and have contributed funds to help a number of local organizations that work with children and their needs. We have spent our first years in learning about the many organizations and special projects in the area which do reach out to children in need in this community and others. We aspire to make ourselves an even more effective force for service to youth in future years.