Earlier this month optimists from all over Rowan County came together to celebrate 60 years of goodwill and community charity. The Morehead Optimist Club held its first meeting on July 13, 1964.
The Morehead Optimist Club is a staple of Rowan County. From their meetings every Tuesday at Mr. Gatti’s Pizza to their bingo fundraisers every weekend to benefit local children, each year the club hosts or supports nearly a hundred youth programs in the community.
That’s why a crowd of nearly 70 people gathered in the Morehead Conference Center to commemorate the chapter’s 60th anniversary.
Rowan County Judge Executive Harry Clark was there to celebrate the milestone, he said the club provides travel opportunities that otherwise may not be available to local students.
“Some of our kids honestly will probably be lucky to ever see the outside of Rowan County. But with the optimist program, one of my favorites is when they sponsor those kids to go to DC. Those kids not only get out of Rowan County, but they really get to see something that’s impactful, and will probably be with them for the rest of their lives,” said Clark.
Clark said like St. Claire Hospital, the Optimist Club has done much to improve the quality of life for those living in Rowan County.
Bill Redwine is the President of the Morehead Chapter. He said for decades the club has worked in tandem with other organizations to bring prosperity to the region.
“1964 was a great year, a remarkable achievement for the city of Morehead. St. Claire Hospital was founded, as Judge Clark alluded to, Morehead Optimist Club was founded, and two years later, Morehead State University gained University Status,” said Redwine. “Just as the hospital and MSU became regional influences, so did the Morehead Optimist Club become a major local influencer.”
In the last decade, the club’s charitable impact has totaled between $160,000-$190,000 each year. From Shop With a Cop and kid’s day camps to sporting events and safety programs, the Morehead Optimists find ways to support and uplift children. Tom Kendo is the International President-Elect for Optimist International. He said those programs make a difference in students’ lives.
“And the beauty of it is, those students that get to do things and have fun and participate are youth that are not left behind. And then those youth grow up and are better citizens in our community, and so they make Morehead and Rowan County a better place to live,” said Kendo.
Kendo said since its inception, Optimist International has worked to provide better experiences for children in America and Canada, and a club that’s been around for 60 years is one that’s made a serious difference in their community.
Ellen Thompson is the Governor-Elect of Kentucky and West Virginia for Optimist International. She said Optimist Clubs are great for communities, even if they aren’t as popular as they used to be.
“60 years ago, where there wasn’t as much going on in the world, it was an easier time, it was a slower time, and we were able to build our clubs and do all kinds of great work for things for our community. But today there are so many more other civic organizations that do the same things and so it’s making it increasingly difficult, more difficult for us to be able to bring our numbers up,” said Thompson.
But Thompson said that Optimists never give up. And it’s because of that spirit that they have been able to keep their organization going for so many years and plan to continue to do so for so many more.
President-Elect Kendo sums up the group’s mission well.
“By giving our time, talent, and treasure, we bring out the best in the youth, and ourselves. I want to be my best self, and I know you want to be your best self. As optimists, we have that opportunity every day of our lives. Because we are optimists. We believe in bringing out the best,” said Kendo.
To conclude the 60th-anniversary meeting of the Optimist Club, everyone present stood and recited the Optimist Creed.