Events

Youth Programs . . .

• Christmas in the Village, (Nov 24, 2023)
  
• Optimist Whitby Santa Claus Parade (Dec 2, 2023)
  
• Easter Egg Hunt, (Apr 16, 2022)
  
• Harvest Festival, horse drawn wagon rides (Sep 9, 2023)
  
• Here We Grow – Potted Gardens, children planting their own potted garden. (May 2024)
  
• Oratorical Contest (March 28, 2024). Compete for a $20,000 scholarship.
  
• Spelling Bee at Brooklin Spring Fair, sponsorship (Jun 3, 2023)
  
• Youth Dances grades 5-7 only (September-June)
  
• Youth Octagon Club for school youth in grades 9 to 12, in membership with JOI – Junior Octagon International (Mondays twice monthly)
  

Fundraising . . .

• The Spread Relief Program in benefit of helping with kid’s most challenging health problems, via Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation
  
• The Red Barn Bingo fundraiser (1st Sunday of month 9pm-1am)
  

Civic Projects . . .

• Brooklin Optimist Gymnasium, Community Centre & Library project (2010-2013) $100,000 lead donation
  
• Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation, funding scholarships.
  
• Friend of Youth Fund, for Brooklin Elementary School Students.
  
• Pitch-In Brooklin, Vipond Road clean up (Apr 22, 2023 9am-11am)
  
• Optimist Park of Brooklin: The gazebo was the cornerstone of Optimist Park of Brooklin project completed in September 1996. The park project was in co-operation with Sorbara Developments and the Town of Whitby. In addition to the gazebo, there is a baseball diamond, basketball court, soccer field, playground apparatus, walking trails and foundation trees. Our club’s initial investment was in excess of $20,000. (The gazebo was dismantled in 2017 during a park renovation.)
  

Club Accomplishments (1987-2023) . . .

• Club selected as Number 1 club in Zone 8 of the Central Ontario District of Optimist International (8 times)
  
• Achieved Honour Club (18 times) and Distinguished Club status (6 times under presidents Brian Wick, Sabina James, Grant Millson, Robert Baker, Maureen Jackson and Karen Santacona)
  
• Raised total of $3,233.20 for Childhood Cancer Campaign and received a matching grant of $3,000 to a goal total of $6,233.20 for Hearth Place Cancer Support Centre.
  
• Raised total of $5,000 for Sick Kids Hospital through the 2019 Brooklin VS. summer festival event.