The Denny Mantel Christmas Sharing Fund:
Each holiday season (since 1984) Optimist members have provided some local families with groceries for a good holiday meal. The Northridge School System provides us with names of families who are particularly needy due to economic circumstances. Club members and other volunteers meet on a particular Saturday in December to buy groceries and deliver them to the families. Beginning with 2014, the program has been named in honor of Optimist member Denny Mantel who had chaired the event for over 30 years. Each year he spent countless hours organizing and leading the program, and inspiring members with his dedication. Denny passed away in February of 2014, and club members have established a separate fund in his memory to make sure that we can continue the program. The fund was established with direct donations as well as from portions of club fund raising events.