Optimist Club of Kansas CityOptimist International is an association of more than 2,900 Optimist Clubs around the world, all dedicated to bringing out the best in kids. The Optimist Club of Kansas City is the primary chapter in the Kansas City metro area.
Helping the kids of Kansas City since 1916!
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Downtown Kansas City Chapter of the special The Optimist Club of Kansas City MO was chartered on April 1, 1916 with the first president Jack Schoen, an insurance man here at the time. The first few meetings were held at Nance’s Café, 12th and Main. Later in the year the luncheons were held at the Kupper Hotel. By 1918 the club had grown to over 100 members and meetings were held at the tea room of the Hotel Muehlebach. The club at one point in its 100 year history had a membership of over 350 members! The wives of the members had their own group call the OPTI-MRS which was started in 1933. One of the traditions of the group was to make an annual directory with each member’s photo and bio. Only one member in a classification could belong to the club and this directory was used as a networking tool. This tradition carried in to the early 90’s. The club now is reviving this tradition of the Directory. The club had a foundation which was called the Optimist Youth Association which funded all the kids’ projects. OPTO was the name of the newsletter that came out each month for the club. Some of our well known members were Mayor Harold Roe Bartle who lured the Chiefs to Kansas City and of which Bartle Hall is named after him and Dr. Charles Wheeler who is a past mayor and Senator from Kansas City. The Downtown KC Airport is named after Dr. Wheeler. Dr. Wheeler is 91 years old and rejoined our club as a member at the 100th Anniversary Celebration.
We are excited to be doing Fireworks this year as our main fundraiser as our club did Fireworks for many years in the early days. Some of our other fundraisers include Texas Hold Em Tournaments, Raising Charitable Children Expo, Vendor Fairs, Gourmet Food sales, 100th Anniversary Cookbook, Pet Expo, Optimist Day at the Royals and more!
On April 1, 2016 we kicked off our 100th Anniversary Celebration with a Champagne Reception and Business Expo at La Galeria and our Gala on Saturday April 2 at the American Royal with special guests International President Dave Bruns and Master of Ceremonies International Vice President from Middle America Bob Floyd. We will continue to celebrate our 100th year with special events. Optimist Club of Kansas City will continue to help the kids of Kansas City! |
Optimist Club of Kansas City is a small club today but growing and does a lot of projects for the kids of Kansas City! Some of our primary kid groups we help are Newhouse Women’s and Children’s Shelter, Northeast Branch Kansas City Public Library, Boys and Girls Club of Kansas City, Gillis Home, Jackson County Youth Court, many schools including Mattie Rhodes, Della Lamb, Crossroads Academy, Garfield Elementary and Pathway Academy and a host of other organizations. We currently had some unique projects which were funded partially by Optimist International Foundation grants including the KC Kids: Life and Art in which the kids do art and it is showcased in an art gallery giving them the experience of a true artist with a gallery opening, reception and art awards, Kids Etiquette Boot Camps which teaches kids of all ages proper table etiquette and teaches high school kids etiquette, work skills and dressing for success when working in the hospitality industry. Our newest and most exciting project is our Pooches and KC Kids Compassion Project which includes the kids’ reading the shelter animals, learning compassion and making homemade treats and blankets for the animals they read to. We take kids on fun outings such as Fishing Derbies, Royals games, T-Bone games, theatre shows and more. Our members volunteer with many organizations and projects as well.
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KC Chapter - New News: |
International Chapters
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Optimist International is an association of more than 2,900 Optimist Clubs around the world, all dedicated to bringing out the best in kids. Volunteers join Optimist Clubs to develop and execute service projects and fundraising within their communities to provide a helping hand to local children. Known for their positive outlooks, Optimists empower their communities towards a better future.
Internationally, 65,000 service projects are conducted by Optimists to benefit well over six million young people. Here in Kansas City, we’re energized by our legacy of service to strengthen the future for kids here in our city. We welcome you to jump in as we help children all over the city. Our vision is to provide a healthy, happy and strong future for the children of Kansas City. Internationally, Optimists aim to be recognized worldwide as the premier volunteer organization that values all children and helps them develop to their full potential. Join us in carrying out that vision out locally, building a better future for Kansas City’s children hands-on. |