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About Our Club and Optimism The Downtown Optimist Club of Evansville Indiana , Inc., celebrated our 99th Anniversary on May 13, 2020 We are now in our 99h year and still going and growing strong. Our club was Chartered on Friday, May 13, 1921 and was the second club chartered in Indiana and the 15th in the world. There were eighty-six charter members. We will be acknowledging our 100th Anniversary on May 13, 2021. We are planning our 100th Birthday to be held on Saturday, October 2, 2021 at the Tropicana Hotel. We have sponsored several clubs throughout our 97 year history including the Evansville Westside and Eastside Clubs and a club in Santa Claus, Indiana. Our club is a member of Optimist International, a worldwide organization, whose purpose is to serve the youth in our communitys. We are members of the Indiana South District which is associated with Optimist International. What differentiates Optimist Clubs from any other volunteer opportunity is simple -- OPTIMISM. Optimists take their upbeat approach and work every day to make a difference for themselves and for the people around them. Optimists are people who believe that through positive action in their communities they can create a better tomorrow. Our Mission Statement: By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in kids. Our Vision Statement: Optimist International will be recognized worldwide as the premier volunteer organization that values all children and helps them develop to their full potential. Club History Dr. Charles Hartloff, the first president of our club, was born on Friday the 13th, and he felt that the 13th was the most wonderful day in the monthly calendar, and when it falls on a Friday, it only adds to the real value of the day. Bish Thompson, a former member of our club, was an International Vice President. He was a longtime member of the club and a writer for the Evansville Press." He wrote a daily article for the paper and hosted a five-minute radio show. Bish wrote a book, "Of Dreams and Deeds",which is required reading for Optimist member participating in the "Personal Growth and Involvement"(PGI) program. Each year, our club presents the Bish Thompson Memorial Award to honor one person from the community who has excelled in helping children. Their name is placed on a plaque for all to see at the Evansville Library, Downtown. They also receive an individual plaque and a check for $250 to a charity of their choice. In addition to honoring these individuals, we hope to encourage others, outside the Optimist Club, to help children. When Camp Carson was built in Princeton, Indiana, the Downtown Optimist Club supported them with money to help to build a cabin for under $500. We again financed a new cabin in 2015 with the name of Aztec. Over the years, we have supported the Camp with gifts of furniture, boats, and money. Each year, we have a meeting at the Camp to be with the kids who we help sponsor and are unable to pay the Camps tuition. Go here to read more club history. Go here to read our 16 page 60th Anniversary Booklet from 1981. Here's an article from Parade Magazine about Optimism. It states how being optimistic is better for your health. (Contact webmaster -mailto:ron.eberhart@wowway.com)
2nd and 4th Wednesdays - 11:45 am