THE OPTIMIST CLUB OF HUNTSVILLE

...was chartered in 1947 as Huntsville's first Optimist Club and has served the community for more than 60 years.

Membership is by invitation and any adult is eligible. The club supports a variety of youth and community service programs funded by the Huntsville Optimist Foundation. The club strives to meet the needs of the community.

The Optimist Club of Huntsville is an affiliate of Optimist International (OI), a worldwide organization consisting of nearly 3,400 clubs with a total membership of about 112,000.

2013 - TRI-STAR BASKETBALL CONTEST

Eight members turned out to run our 2013 Tri-Star Basketball on Saturday, January 19th. Both members and the youngsters had a great time. Every child received a certificate of participatation. 1st, 2nd, and third place trophies were given for each age and gender group, plus the 1st place winners received a professional grade basketball.

LAUNCHING LEADERSHIP LUNCHEON

On October 11th the Optimist Club of Huntsville teamed up with Huntsville City School district and Still Serving Veterans to establish service organizations in 16 of the city's public schools

Huntsville Optimist Club President Tom Casteel, Huntsville City School Superintendent Casey Wardynski, and Still Serving Veterans President William Webb signed an agreement that will launch Junior Optimist Clubs in two elementary schools, 11 middle schools and three high schools.

The Huntsville Optimist Club has already established pilot clubs at Morris Elementary and Whitesburg Middle, the success of which prompted the expansion.

In his speech to the group at the signing ceremony, Dr. Wardynski said that K-12 education has a natural relationship with the Huntsville Optimist Club and Still Serving Veterans because both are about selflessness and putting others first. "In this case, the others are our children," Wardynski said.

Fabiani Duarte, Second Vice President of the Optimist Club of Huntsville, led the effort in creating the relationship between the three organizations. Being a leader is not new to Fabiani as he established a Junior Optimist Club at Randolph School 10 years ago as a high school freshman. He later attended Vanderbilt University on full scholarship and was number one in his graduating class.

2012 - 2013 OFFICER INSTALLATION

AL-LA-MS District Governor Helen Howard was the installation official. New officers and board members were charged to perform the duties of their respective offices, and all raised their hand and pledged to do their best to make our club again successful in 2012/2013.