Optimist of the Year raises $50,000

One of my favorite Optimist Club projects from last year actually began in October 2009 when the Optimist Club of Chillicothe, Illinois decided to reinvest in their community by purchasing and renovating the movie theater in their downtown core.

In May 2010, the community celebrated the grand reopening the Town Theater with a red carpet gala.

A little over a year after deciding on this revitalization project, the Chillicothe Optimist Club recognized one of their own for her great dedication to the project. J.B. Culbertson was named Optimist of the Year and recognized at the club's annual dinner by immediate past president Mike Mahoney.  According to Mahoney, Culbertson was enthusiastic about the project from its inception and almost single-handedly raised $50,000 towards the mortgage.

Congratulations to Ms. Culbertson, the Optimist Club and the community.

Thanks to the Optimist Club of Chillicothe for the story and picture.