PROGRAMS
What We Do
In addition to the various things we do each year to raise funds to support children and youth in our community, the Optimist Club of Oakville has many annual programs and contests we run for youth in our community. We also do many programs, projects and events that are unique to our Club and our JOI Club. Learn more about Optimist Clubs and Optimist International by watching this series of online videos.
If you are an Optimist or JOI member, please access our online Calendar to see when meetings and events are scheduled.
Many of the programs are also run by most Optimist Clubs internationally and some are unique to our club. These programs and projects include:
Below there is a brief description of each of these annual programs with a link to a page for more detailed information. We also have Club Projects that are Club specific listed below.
Click here so you can also view some testimonials from organizations we support as well as winners of competitions and bursaries.
Click here so you can also view some testimonials from organizations we support as well as winners of competitions and bursaries.
Please note that the Junior Optimist Club (also known as JOI) has its own menu option at the top right of the webpage.
Essay Contest
We host a yearly Essay Contest for students, announcing the topic in September on our website and Facebook. Cash prizes are awarded at the club level (first, second, and third place). The winning essay advances to the District level for a chance to win a scholarship.Discover more about the Essay Contest.
Oratorical Contest
Annually, we sponsor a student Oratorical Contest. Our 2025-2026 year's topic, announced in September, along with rules, is posted on our website and Facebook. The contest progresses from Club to International levels, with the ultimate winner receiving $22,500 in prizes and scholarships. Learn more about the Oratorical Competition.
Youth Appreciation Awards
Each year, the Optimist Club recognizes youth from Oakville high schools for their efforts and accomplishments as role models in our community. Read more about our Youth Appreciation Program.
Don MacDonald Optimist Bursaries
The Optimist Club of Oakville Don MacDonald Bursaries are awarded annually to Oakville students who are Oakville residents going on to post-secondary education in the next school year with a major in academics, theatre, arts, sports or trades. Click here to learn more about our Bursaries.
Oakville Optimist Club Art Contest
Our Optimist Club has been running an Annual Art Contest since 2020. There are four Age Groups each of which is provided a theme. An Art Awards Event each year where we announce the winners and provide their prizes. The winners and their art for 2023-2024 are now displayed at the following link: Art Contest link
Junior Optimist Club of Oakville (JOI)
The Junior Optimist Clubs of Oakville, also known as JOI (Junior Optimist International) Clubs, are supported and mentored by the Optimist Club of Oakville. Our JOI Club has members from local Oakville high school students in Grades 9 to 12 inclusive They typically meet twice per month. They have adult Oakville Optimist Club Advisors who are with them all the time. Read more about JOI here.
PROGRAMS
Club Projects
These are many additional Projects that the Optimist Club of Oakville supports and runs.
COLS
Our Optimist Club funds the ability for @10 High School students in Grade 10 to spend a long weekend at University of Guelph to attend COLS, a life-changing leadership program with world renowned speakers. COLS teaches "how to think, not what to think."
Junior Optimist Events for Children
Our JOI Club develops and runs a few events each year for young children. Examples are Halloween and Easter events. There may be some additional new events this year!
Sponsorship/Volunteering at Oakville Child & Youth Programs
Optimists support and often volunteer at community events in Oakville - mostly during the summer months. We also sponsor many House League sports teams in Oakville.
Organizations We Support
We are very fortunate to volunteer at Delta Bingo every month, which provides us with tremendous support for programs for children and youth in Oakville. Here is a link to the organizations and activities we support in Oakville. Thank you Delta Bingo Oakville and the Optimist members who volunteer their time. Below are some recent donations from the Optimist Club of Oakville to Oakville organizations that support and assist children and youth in our community.
Donation Bronte Harbour Yacht Club
Bronte Harbour Yacht Club along with the Optimist Club of Oakville and the Navy League have partnered to provide sailing programs for 30 local youth, most of whom are members of the Oakville Sea Cadets.
This initiative was driven by the The Optimist Club of Oakville who remarked: “It always seemed strange to us that Sea Cadets didn't have much access to sailing and boating activities, so we wanted them to have this opportunity.”
When approached by the Optimists, the Bronte Harbour Yacht Club welcomed the restart of a program that had disappeared when COVID struck! BHYC is committed to promoting the sport, recreation and enjoyment of water activities on Lake Ontario including sailing, power boating, and all kinds of paddling. The Club supports the development of seamanship, sportsmanship and friendship among the members in the community. Members participate and support the maintenance and delivery of the club amenities, services and other activities.
The Navy League jumped in when they saw an opportunity to enhance their current training programs.The Navy League of Canada is a non-profit volunteer-lead organization that supports youth education and leadership programs as well as promotes the maritime interests of Canada.
The sponsors shared the $9000-10000 cost of the program and are hoping to expand it into the future.
For more information about the Optimist Club and their fundraising and support to kids and youth in our community contact them at OakvilleOptimistClub.com.
PHOTO ATTACHED SHOWS (IN REAR) Peter Maclean of Optimists Club of Oakville, Tom Cochran, Optimists, and Roman Sivers (in glasses) of BHYC. plus students and instructors of the sailing program
This initiative was driven by the The Optimist Club of Oakville who remarked: “It always seemed strange to us that Sea Cadets didn't have much access to sailing and boating activities, so we wanted them to have this opportunity.”
When approached by the Optimists, the Bronte Harbour Yacht Club welcomed the restart of a program that had disappeared when COVID struck! BHYC is committed to promoting the sport, recreation and enjoyment of water activities on Lake Ontario including sailing, power boating, and all kinds of paddling. The Club supports the development of seamanship, sportsmanship and friendship among the members in the community. Members participate and support the maintenance and delivery of the club amenities, services and other activities.
The Navy League jumped in when they saw an opportunity to enhance their current training programs.The Navy League of Canada is a non-profit volunteer-lead organization that supports youth education and leadership programs as well as promotes the maritime interests of Canada.
The sponsors shared the $9000-10000 cost of the program and are hoping to expand it into the future.
For more information about the Optimist Club and their fundraising and support to kids and youth in our community contact them at OakvilleOptimistClub.com.
PHOTO ATTACHED SHOWS (IN REAR) Peter Maclean of Optimists Club of Oakville, Tom Cochran, Optimists, and Roman Sivers (in glasses) of BHYC. plus students and instructors of the sailing program
Darling Home for Kids
Thank you so much for this incredible news! From all of us at The Darling Home for Kids - including the children and families we serve - thank you to everyone at the Optimist Club of Oakville for this generous gift of $5,000! We are deeply touched by your continued kindness and generosity towards the work we do to support medically complex children and their families in our communities. Please know that your continued support will help us provide comfort, care and joy to those who call our Home their own.
I'm more than happy to schedule a date and time for the cheque to be dropped off at the Home. Alternatively, mailing the cheque works well for us. I look forward to sharing a report on the impact of your gift once the funds are utilized.
Once again, thank you for helping to ensure The Darling Home for Kids is not just a place where our children can stay, but where they can thrive. We are grateful to have you by our side!
I'm more than happy to schedule a date and time for the cheque to be dropped off at the Home. Alternatively, mailing the cheque works well for us. I look forward to sharing a report on the impact of your gift once the funds are utilized.
Once again, thank you for helping to ensure The Darling Home for Kids is not just a place where our children can stay, but where they can thrive. We are grateful to have you by our side!
Oakville Soccer Donation
Oakville Optimist Club member Tom presented a cheque for $3500 to Katrina Indewey at the Oakville Soccer Club from the Optimist Club of Oakville to support the Breaking Barriers teams and four Oakville Soccer teams.
Donation to Oakville Family YMCA
The HYPEE program works with youth who face multiple barriers , often from low income households where food insecurity and violence are frequently experienced. These youth are often at risk of being expelled and have few employable skills. Through HYPEE , these youth find a supportive peer environment, positive mentors, leadership and employment training and have the chance to change the trajectory of their lives.