Optimist International is an association of more than 2,900 Optimist Clubs around the world dedicated to “Bringing Out the Best in Kids.” 

Adult volunteers join Optimist Clubs to conduct positive service projects in their communities aimed at providing a helping hand to youth. Every year, Optimists conduct some 65,000 service projects and serve well over six million young people.

Locally, the Grand Strand Optimist Club was founded in Myrtle Beach in 1984 by George Cox, who is still an active member today. Since those first days, the local club has served the Myrtle Beach community as a non-profit organization, dedicated to helping and enriching the lives of children in the area. The club members do this through a variety of service projects, fundraisers, scholarship programs, and mentoring.

Some of those projects and scholarship programs offered in the past include a Bicycle Safety program, Hook a Kid on Golf, Essay and Oratorical Contests and Spelling Bee, Special Olympics, and the Grand Strand Miracle League. These projects allow the group to have close, one-on-one contact with kids, when members help them to learn how to do things like to ride a bicycle safely, or show them how to grip a golf club properly for a good swing.

A few of the numerous fundraisers hosted by the Grand Strand Optimist Club assist the Children’s Recovery Center, Fostering Hope, Jason’s House, and many other charities. Annual fundraisers include a Spaghetti Supper, held for more than 30 years at various locations, and now at the Beachfront Kitchen and Bar in the Sand Dunes Resort. The other long-running event is the annual Fish Fry, which has been held at Crabby’s Mikes Seafood Restaurant in Surfside for 20 years—the proceeds for this popular event go to the local YMCA.

How does it feel to be an Optimist?

“When I retired, I was looking for something to retire to,” says longtime member and past president John Grover. “Upon moving to the Myrtle Beach area, I realized I had a wonderful life, and it was time to give something back. I also knew whatever I chose to do had to require me investing my time and talents making our future better, and I know our future is children. Seventeen years ago, I chose becoming an Optimist because this organization dedicates itself to helping children. I made the right choice.” 

Joining an Optimist Club offers several personal, community, and professional benefits, members say:

Community Impact: Clubs are deeply committed to supporting youth in local communities through education, sports, and health, particularly childhood cancer support and youth leadership programs.

Networking and Fellowship: Optimist Clubs bring together people from diverse backgrounds to create a strong network of like-minded people who care about their communities.

Service to Youth: Many Optimist Club projects center on youth empowerment, offering scholarships, mentoring programs and leadership development.

The Grand Strand Optimist Club meets first and third Thursdays of every month at Pine Lakes Country Club from noon until 1 pm. If you would like to know more about us or are interested in joining visit their website here.