Troy Noon Optimist History
The Troy Noon Optimist Club celebrated 60 years of service to the Troy community in 2017. Additionally Optimist International has a rich history.
The International Optimist Club — now known as Optimist International — was founded June 19, 1919, when representatives of 11 clubs held a convention in Louisville, Ky. In 1922, Optimist International adopted its famous 10-point Optimist Creed. In 1923, the organization adopted the motto, “Friend of the Delinquent Boy,” then revised it to “Friend of the Boy” in 1924.
The Optimist Club of Troy, as it was formerly known, was first sponsored and organized with the help of the Dayton View Optimist Club in 1956. After receiving its charter from Optimist International on Sept. 26, 1956, the Optimist Club of Troy was incorporated with the State of Ohio on Jan. 21, 1957. The original incorporators for the new non-profit Optimist Club of Troy were Charles E. Gorrell, Merrill Black and Daniel Garfield.
In 1972, Optimist International again revised its motto to “Friend of Youth.” On March 7, 2007, the Optimist Club of Troy amended its Articles of Incorporation and changed its name to “The Troy Noon Optimist Club.” The Troy Noon Optimist Club is affiliated with and fully subordinate to the principles and authority of Optimist International.
From the beginning, the focus of Optimist International and affiliated clubs like The Troy Noon Optimist Club has been serving and bettering youth. This is reflected not only in the Optimist motto’s of the past and present, but in the current mission statement of Optimist International which is, “By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in youth, our communities and ourselves.”
For over 60 years now, The Troy Noon Optimist Club has been serving and bettering the youth of the Troy community through programs and fundraising events like the Opti-Derby Soap Box races, the Optimist Oratorical and Essay Contests, awarding five $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors each year, the Avenue of Flags program for which American flags are deployed throughout the community for the five patriotic holidays of the year, a Strawberry Festival booth each year, sales of everything from Easter baskets and fruitcakes to safety alarms and trash bags, and all manner of raffles, drawings, auctions and contests.