Programs

The focus is on three skills competitions in each of the following sports:  basketball, soccer and football.  These contests are the perfect opportunity for children to have fun while testing their skills in three areas of the sport of your choice.  Each skill offers exciting opportunities to promote self-confidence and physical fitness, even if a child has limited resources.

Partnering with us for the event is the Boys & Girls Club of St. Joseph County.

This event is held January of each year.

Thanksgivig Dinner, not all families are lucky enough to have one.  Partnering with a number of local business including Honker's Restaurant and Martin's Supermarket and with the help of many of the Battell School mothers, we are able to provide a special dinner for almost 250 family members.

Optimist Clubs recognize local youth for their efforts in the arts, athletics, academics and community service work. Youth Appreciation is the perfect opportunity for Optimists to make a difference in their community and demonstrate the Optimists’ commitment to young people.

Youth Appreciation projects are intended to make children feel important and highlight their positive contributions to society. Since 1956, this program has given Optimist Clubs the occasion to work with youth toward the common goals of education, career development, physical well-being and community service. A Club’s Youth Appreciation program can be more than an awards ceremony or a dinner for a few top students.

Youth Appreciation is designed to encourage a greater exchange of ideas between young people and adults.

Youth Appreciation offers Optimist Clubs the opportunity to make a community impact by holding one or more worthwhile, fun events that involve both adults and children.

We are partnered in this event by 1st Source Bank, Lake City Bank, Taper Lock Credit Union and the Mayor of Mishawaka.

This event is held in April of each year and recognizes students from Penn, Mishawaka, Marion and First Baptist High Schools.

The Optimist International Junior Golf Championships (OIJGC) is
one of the largest and most prestigious events for junior golfers ages 10-18.  Each year over 5,000 young people from the United States and Canada compete in qualifying tournaments; there are over 650 from 25 countries that participate in the championship event.

The Optimist Oratorical Contest gives youngsters the chance to speak to the world.  More than $150,00 in college scholarships are awarded annually from this program.  First conducted in 1928, this is the second most popular Optimist International Program.  Nearly 2,000 clubs participate in this program each year.  The winners ate the Club level receive medallions and Zone winners receive a plaque.  Districts have the opportunity to provide 1st, 2nd and 3rd place scholarships.

The Optimist Essay Contest another very popular program with over 1,000 Clubs participating each year.  The Essay contest is sponsored by Optimist International to give young people the opportunity to write about the own opinions regarding the world in which they live.  The approach can encompass a young person's personal experience, the experience of the country or a more historical perspective.  In addition to developing skills for written express, participants also have the opportunity to win a college scholarship of up to $5,000.

Mishawaka Breakfast Optimist Club co-sponsors the All-City Spelling Bee with School City of Mishawaka.  Students in grades 4-8 from local schools participate each spring.