Great Falls Optimist Club

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Great Falls Optimist Club Builds on Successful 2006

Five New Projects Meet With Success

 

The Great Falls Optimist Club enjoyed an especially successful 2006 and built on that momentum in 2007. A small club with big ambitions, the Optimist Club is dedicated to meeting the needs of young people in our community; to supporting activities that contribute to a better future for our children; to promoting an active interest in good government; to encouraging community service among young people; and developing optimism as a philosophy of life. 

 Every year, the Optimist Club organizes and staffs the ever-popular Spring Festival and egg hunt, and helps put on the spooky Fall Festival run by Great Falls Friends. We provide meals and holiday gifts to dozens of local families in need; fund important classroom equipment for local schools serving children with emotional disabilities; organize and fund projects such as the Great Falls Playground, and more.  In 2006, we added five successful endeavors to our plate:

·        participation in the first Operation Popsicle Toes, organized by Supervisor Joan DuBois, which provided winter shoes to 200 local children;

·        the formation of a Junior Optimist International Club at Langley High School;

·        the launch of a Great Falls Teen Center;

·        we began an annual child identification program in cooperation with the Fairfax County Police;

·        and held a very successful barn dance fundraiser to celebrate our 25th Anniversary.

The Club has always been a nonprofit, but in 2006 it was recognized as a 501(c)3 by the IRS, which means that donations are tax deductible. This change, which was sought by Optimist International, our parent organization, should make it easier and even more appealing to companies and individuals interested in supporting the work of the Great Falls Optimist Club.