Since 1947, the Downtown Optimist Club of Fort Smith has supported youth programs in our community. During the past 62 years, the civic club has raised close to $ 1 million for various youth agencies, including the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Clubs, Girls Inc., First Tee, Boys Scouts, Girls Shelter, etc.
The Downtown Optimist Club raises funds each year by selling Christmas trees at Hunts Park. All proceeds from the tree sales directly benefit area young people. The Club also conducts an annual Golf tournament.
Providing volunteer manpower is an important factor in community outreach for the Downtown Optimist Club. Optimist members have volunteered for several special events at the Boys & Girls Club, including Lean On Me mentoring, Regional Baseball tournaments and Optimist Day football.
Optimist members have also provided volunteer services for the annual Super Kids Rodeo along with special fundraisers for Childhood Cancer.
The Downtown Optimist Club was inducted into the Boys & Girls Club Hall of Fame in 1996. Club members Gerald Price and Melvin Roberts have more than 50 years of service as Optimist members. Price was a charter member of the Fort Smith Boys & Girls Club in 1928.
To find out more about the Downtown Optimist, contact Club President Linda Williams at 479-788-7640.
Join Us
We meet each Wednesday 12:00 noon at:
Holiday Inn - Downtown | 700 Rogers Ave. Fort Smith, AR.
