The Truckee Optimist Club board and members wish to thank the members of the Truckee Chamber of Commerce and the Truckee Community for nominating and recognizing the Truckee Optimist Club as the “2015 Non-Profit of the Year.”

Established in 1974, the Truckee Optimist Club was established to “Serve Youth” in the community. The original membership was made up mostly of blue collar workers (contractors, tradesmen, forest service personnel, and employees of the Recreation and Park District) and a number of small businessmen.

Many of the charter members had children of their own who were involved in youth sports, Scouts, recreation and outdoor activities, band, drama, art and educational programs. Over the years many members have also coached, taught, mentored, and have been members of Boards and affiliations directly related to local youth activities.

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The current membership of the club include second generation members who benefitted by the Optimist programs, grants, and scholarships when they were young.

“They are now grown, have families, are successful business people and are giving back to the community and the club that supported them in their youth,” said Kelly Bennett, current club President.

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Over the 40 years of existence, the Truckee Optimist Club has raised and contributed well over a million dollars to the youth of the community in the form of educational, athletic, vocational, arts, etc. grants and several hundred thousand dollars in academic and vocational scholarships to graduating seniors.

The main fundraisers for the Optimist Club include cooking for “Truckee Clean Up Day” (June), the Truckee Brew Fest (June), the Truckee Tahoe AirShow and Family Festival (July), and the annual Truckee Optimist Christmas Tree Lot at Crossroad’s Center each December (opens Nov. 28 thru Dec. 23).

For information about the Truckee Optimist Club and/or membership inquiry, please call Dan O’Gorman (Membership chair) at 530-550-4444.

From all the members of the Truckee Optimist Club