
The Northridge Optimist Club celebrated its 50th year in 2014. It was chartered in 1964, sponsored by the East Dayton Optimist Club, as a member club of Optimist International (www.optimist.org). Optimist International is an association of Optimist Clubs around the world dedicated to “bringing out the best in kids”. Optimist International sponsors several programs for youth, which member clubs can carry out, and clubs can also provide programs of their own, tailored to the needs of their own communities. In 2015 we begin our 51st year with much optimism.
Over the years Northridge Optimist Club has carried out Optimist International programs such as the Optimist Oratorical Contest, Optimist Essay Contest, Optimist Tri-Star Sports, and Respect for Law. Among the local club sponsored youth programs have been Christmas Sharing, Bicycle Safety programs, sponsosrship of youth sports teams, and donations to various community charitable services. However the primary club program over the past thirty some years has been providing youth scholarships. Beginning in 1984 the club established an endowment with The Dayton Foundation to fund scholarships for Northridge High School students. Money for this endowment has been raised with an annual golf outing that the club conducts. In 2005 the club also raised funds for (and helped build) a community pavilion on school grounds.
The Northridge area that the club serves is comprised of the Northridge School District, in Harrison Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, just north of the City of Dayton..
The current Northridge Optimist club is an amalgam of three different Optimist Clubs. In 2004 the Northridge Optimist Club merged with the Dayton View-Kittyhawk Optimist Club, which in 1995 was formed by the merger of the Kittyhawk Optimist Club (chartered in 1984, sponsored by the Riverdale Optimist Club) and the Dayton View Optimist Club (chartered in 1951, sponsored by the Dayton Optimist Club). This three club heritage is reflected in the club seal shown above.
The Northridge Optimist Club continues to grow and strives to be a positive influence on the youth of the Northridge community. The club currently has twenty five members comprised of men and women in various stages of their careers and from many interesting backgrounds, employed at various local businesses, including business owners, self employed, and retired individuals.
Meetings are held two Tuesdays per month at Noon - see the Bulletin Board page for meeting location and schedule.
Over the years Northridge Optimist Club has carried out Optimist International programs such as the Optimist Oratorical Contest, Optimist Essay Contest, Optimist Tri-Star Sports, and Respect for Law. Among the local club sponsored youth programs have been Christmas Sharing, Bicycle Safety programs, sponsosrship of youth sports teams, and donations to various community charitable services. However the primary club program over the past thirty some years has been providing youth scholarships. Beginning in 1984 the club established an endowment with The Dayton Foundation to fund scholarships for Northridge High School students. Money for this endowment has been raised with an annual golf outing that the club conducts. In 2005 the club also raised funds for (and helped build) a community pavilion on school grounds.
The Northridge area that the club serves is comprised of the Northridge School District, in Harrison Township, Montgomery County, Ohio, just north of the City of Dayton..
The current Northridge Optimist club is an amalgam of three different Optimist Clubs. In 2004 the Northridge Optimist Club merged with the Dayton View-Kittyhawk Optimist Club, which in 1995 was formed by the merger of the Kittyhawk Optimist Club (chartered in 1984, sponsored by the Riverdale Optimist Club) and the Dayton View Optimist Club (chartered in 1951, sponsored by the Dayton Optimist Club). This three club heritage is reflected in the club seal shown above.
The Northridge Optimist Club continues to grow and strives to be a positive influence on the youth of the Northridge community. The club currently has twenty five members comprised of men and women in various stages of their careers and from many interesting backgrounds, employed at various local businesses, including business owners, self employed, and retired individuals.
Meetings are held two Tuesdays per month at Noon - see the Bulletin Board page for meeting location and schedule.