The Optimist Club of Keego Harbor, Michigan invites members and non-members alike to contribute to their scholarship fund. For a mere $100, they will make you known in the community as a Friend of Youth. All donations are tax deductible through the Keego Harbor Optimist Club Friend of Youth Scholarship Fund set up with the Optimist International Foundation.
In 2008, the club reported that more than $36,000 in scholarship funding had been given to 45 students since the fund's inception in 2000.
Getting members involved in club activities is always important; but it is equally important to find ways for community members to make a difference through your Optimist Club even when membership is not an option for them. Optimist International encourages a program that makes a Friend of Youth a member in a local club. I like the idea of using 100% of a local donors money to benefit an actual program and the Friend of Youth Scholarship program does just that.
