JACKSON'S ORITINAL CLUB BEGAN IN '39

With members including an Optimist International district governor and several lieutenant governors, the Optimist Club of Jackson couldn't be prouder of its organization.

The Optimist Club of Jackson was founded in 1939, and its original membership of 17 has grown to 65.

Five of the club's presidents have reached Distinguished status. The club recently beat out the other 77 clubs in the district to win first place in the quarterly achievement awards.

In addition to having sponsored nine new Optimist clubs, the club has one of the highest percentages of meeting attendance in the state.

"We've had members of over 40 years who have never been absent," said club President Larry Ream. "A lot of it has to do with the fellowship of the group."

The Jackson Optimists' first projects included sponsorship of a Cub Scout pack and a boy's basketball league, an oratorical contest and a soap box derby.

The club's activities in 1963 expanded to include funding of a Brownie troop and other projects intended to meet the needs of all community youths.

Among the club's endeavors throughout the subsequent years were sponsorship of fishing rodeos, roller skating, bowling, a high school dance for Youth Appreciation Week, bicycle safety campaigns and Respect for Law programs. The group has also sent students to Boys' State and Girls' State and music camps.

Contributions by the group have also been made for donation of playground equipment, bleachers and lights and for construction of a picnic shelter in Jackson park. They have also purchased equipment for local schools to detect hearing disabilities and for CPR classes.

Some of the club's most lucrative fund raisers are Christmas tree stands and food stands at Homecomers, Riverfest and Fourth of July celebrations.

Leading this year's Optimist Club of Jackson with Ream are vice presidents Rick Guilliams and Robert Lefebvre and secretary/treasurer Chuck Gorton. The club meets at 6:45 p.m. each Tuesday in the Jackson Knights of Columbus Hall.