WEST SUBURBAN OPTIMISTS — Over the past 54 years, the West Suburban Optimist Club of west suburban Cleveland has done a lot for the community.
In the 1960s, the club began the Shoes for Kids program, holiday food baskets for needy families, a picnic for visually impaired students from the Cleveland Municipal School District, as well as helping Ohio Boys Town.
In the 1970s, the group built and operated the first northeast Ohio Haunted Forest in Strongsville. The club donated a 15-passenger van to Our Lady of the Wayside, and donated money to organizations like Providence House, the Ohio City Crisis Nursery, and Ohio Boys Town.
Through the 1980s and 1990s, the community outreach continued.
Today the group sponsors the Cleveland Metroparks fishing derby and other programs such as Respect for Law, which honors law enforcement officers and judges; Youth Appreciation, honoring local students for their community work, and an annual essay contest for local students.
The group meets at 7 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of each month at Anthony’s Restaurant, at the corner of Pleasant Valley and York roads in Parma.
Each year, the West Suburban Optimist Club gives out six or seven scholarships to deserving area students, including one to a special education student at Lincoln West High School.
The group promotes an optimistic way of life in its members, young people and the community.
Call Joe Giampietro at (440) 390-1214, or Don LeHotan at (440) 734-4245 for more information.
Thanks Mr. Hasse. Optimist Clubs appreciate your support.
