Home Page

Welcome to our website. Please navigate through our site and don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. To learn more about what we do as an organization, please click on the above "Yawn Patrol Newsletter" and review our various activities, speakers, and functions.

The purpose of this club shall be to develop Optimism as a philosphy of life, to promote an active interest in good government and civic affairs; to inspire respect for the law; to promote patriotism and work for international accord and friendship among all people; to mold and encourage the development of youth in the belief that the giving of one's self in service to others will advance the well-being of man, his community and world.

To learn more about the Optimist Acres History by
Moe Salmon click here

The Optimist Creed  click here

Newspaper Articles regarding Optimist Club click here

Upcoming Events

"Hunter Safety Training"  Mike McNelis and Instructor Pete Peace will conduct another class on March 17th and August 4th for those who need to complete a hunter education course to obtain a hunting license or just as a refresher. For further information please call Mike McNelis at 864-680-6567 or go to www.DNR.SC.gov   (Once at home page click on "Hunting" at top of home page, look for "How to get started", Education, click on "Hunter Education". Look for "Instructor Led Class" and click on "class calender". Go to March 17th or August 4th and click on date of your choice. Then register for class.) 

"Essay Contest"  topic will be "How My Positive Outlook Benefits My Community" consisting of 700-800 words. Open to participants up to 18 years old as of 12/31/11. Winners will be awarded $100 1st, $50 for 2nd, and $25 for 3rd. All entries must be in by February 5th.  1st place winner may enter the District contest  possibly winning a $2500 scholarship. Please contact Ted Wilson at 864-583-4142 for more information.  

"CCDHH" Communication Contest for the Deaf & Hard of Hearing will take place on March 21st at the S.C. School for the Deaf & Blind.Topic will be "How My Optimism Helped Me Overcome Obstacles". Communication time allowed will be not under 4 minutes or over 5 minutes. Contest is open to participants through grade 12 and must submit an audiogram done within 24 months of the date of the contest from a qualified audiologist. 1st place $100, 2nd  $50, 3rd $25. 1st place winner may enter the District contest for a possibly win a  $2500 scholarship. Please call Pepper Graham at 864-809-9234 for more information.

"Oratorical Contest" topic will be "How My Optimism Helps Me Overcome Obstacles". Open to participants up to 18 years old as of 12/31/11 which will be held on April 5th. 1st place will be $100, 2nd $50, 3rd $25. 1st place winner is eligible to enter the District contest possibly winning a $2500 scholarship. Please contact Dan Holloway at 864-579-1221 for more information.

Past Events

"Christmas Tree Sales"   Our main fundraiser was a great success this year. Our first shipment of trees and wreaths for sale came on November 19th, the Saturday before Thanksgiving Day and ended on Dec 18th. Our trees were first quality, fresh Fraser Firs from "Cardinal Tree Farm" near Boone, NC. The letters we sent out brought back many repeat customers. Thanks to all that helped with the sales. To see the list of trees, wreaths, garland, and stands that were sold.  click here

"Awards and Officer Installation Dinner"    Our dinner was held on Tuesday, September 27th at Rosecrest Community. New board members and officers were sworn in by Lt. Governor Dan Holloway for the Optimist year 2011-2012. Our current President Dick Kugler presented several awards to various members for our club. For more details on the installation and awards, please click GoUpState.com or Press Release.

"Camp Victory" Camp took place from June 20th to the 24th at the Optimist Acres. Activities included arts and crafts, hiking, bird house building sponsored by Home Depot, nature walks with Professor Doug Rayner with Wofford College, Magician Steve Holt with Perky- Vickie Holt, fishing and cart rides. The camp was organized by the Children's Security Blanket Project, an organization created to offer financial assistance and support to Spartanburg families with children facing life threatening illnesses. The Breakfast Optimist Club is one of the sponsors for the event. The camp concluded with an awards banquet and fireworks.

Please click "Camp Victory-2011" under Breakfast Optimists in the Media for more information.

"Respect For Law" Our annual program took place on April 17 at Mary Black Memorial Hospital . The program honored professionals in the community who have dedicated their lives and careers to upholding the rule of law. Don Coggins was the coordinator and spokes person for the ceremony. Press Release, click here

"CCDHH" The "Communication Contest for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing" at the SC School for the Deaf and Blind was held on April 26. Chairperson Pepper Graham coorinated the program. Press Release, click here

"Oratorical Contest" The Oratorical Contest was held on April 14th at the Morningside Baptist Church. Anyone under the age of 19, from one of the Spartanburg County Schools, was eligible to enter the contest. The topic was "If I Were Leader of the Free World, the First Issue I Would Address Would Be....." Press Release, click here