Our History
Established May 8th, 1963, South Lake Tahoe Optimist Club is a community organization that holds civic duty and citizenship in high regard. We believe every resident and visitor plays a vital role in the health, diversity, and well-being of our community and city. Our goal and mission, since inception, is to make sure every young person receives every opportunity they deserve.
With a core group of volunteers, we have managed to build a number of partnerships with local businesses and organizations from around the area. It is our partnerships that have allowed us to create programs, host events, and encourage residents to become engaged.
Who We Are
I grew up in Tahoe and remember selling Optimist Pancake Breakfast tickets for South Tahoe Little League when I was 12 years old. In 2009 I joined Optimist because I wanted to give back to our community and be part of an organization that specifically supports the youth of South Lake Tahoe. Like many other families mine participated in several of the activities and fundraisers Optimist held throughout the year. After seeing the impact these had on my family, I thought Optimist was the perfect organization to join to keep the traditions going. My hope is to keep the Optimist tradition going so current and future families can enjoy the benefits that mine did.
– John, President
– Terry, Treasurer
My name is Terry Powers and I’ve been a member since 1993. I was dragged into the Club by my father-in-law Ben Kunibe, who was a lifetime member and a force of the Club. Other long-term members also dragged me into being a co-organizer of our many events. It is a lot fun seeing kids enjoying our basketball tournaments, fishing derbies, Easter egg hunts, and Turkey Trots. I also enjoy seeing the happy faces of teachers, scholarship winners, coaches, team players, and students when our club donates to their organizations. I always explain it’s not Optimist Club money that we are donating but the money of the community members that support our fundraisers.
The trees that are slow to grow bear the best fruit.
– TBD, Role
Optimist International
Meeting the needs of young people in communities worldwide, Optimist Clubs have been “Bringing Out the Best in Kids” since 1919. Optimist Clubs conduct positive service projects aimed at providing a helping hand to youth. Club Members are best known in their communities for their upbeat attitudes. By believing in young people and empowering them to be the best they can, Optimist volunteers continually make this world a better place to live. There are 75,000 individual Members who belong to more than 2,600 autonomous Clubs. Optimists conduct 65,000 service projects each year, serving six million young people. Optimists also spend $78 million on their communities annually.
Mission Statement: By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in kids.
Vision Statement: Optimist International will be recognized worldwide as the premier volunteer organization that values all children and helps them develop to their full potential.
Learn more at https://www.optimist.org
Partner Organizations
Boys & Girls Club of Lake Tahoe – https://bgclt.org/
Tahoe Learning Haven – https://www.tahoelearninghaven.org/