About the Talbot Optimist Club

The Talbot Optimist Club (TOC), of Easton, Maryland, has been meeting the needs of Talbot County youth by "bringing out the best in kids" since 1996. The club is a member of the Maryland/South Delaware District (www.mdsdoptimist.org) of Optimist International (www.optimist.org) and was founded under Charter president Richie Wheatley of Easton, who currently co-chairs the annual Christmas Tree & Greenery sale with Treasurer Geoff Bernstein.

Now in its 20th year, the Talbot Optimist Club has raised more than $225,000 supporting local youth, including the sponsorship of the Optimist Field at the A. James Clark North Easton Sports Complex, and much needed annual support to organizations like the Talbot YMCA, Talbot Mentors, Boy Scouts, Easton Little League, as well as art programs, public and private school initiatives, leadership camps, sport activities and more.

Most people know the Talbot Optimist Club through the month-long Christmas Tree and Greenery Sale at the Talbot YMCA each December, which has become a community event through a cadre of volunteers extending beyond the club's members. Other fundraising projects include partnering with the Easton Ruritans for concessions at the Talbot County Fair, Pit Beef fundraisers at Easton's Blockbuster; sponsorship of the Homerun Baker Field in Trappe, and past participation in Talbot's Relay.

Each spring the club helps sponsor the Kids Fun Run at North Easton Park/Rail to Trails, and hosts an Oratorical Contest, where youth 15 and younger brave the stage of the historic Avalon Theatre to deliver an inspiring speech for a chance at an Optimist International $2,500 scholarship. And in the spring, the Optimist host a Golf Tournament fundraiser, a Jr. Golf Tournament, an invitational qualifying event for Optimist International's Jr. Golf Championships held in Florida each summer.

MAILING ADDRESS

P.O. Box 1951
Easton, MD 21601

ORGANIZATIONAL PURPOSE

• To develop Optimist interest in good government and civic affairs. 
• To inspire respect for the law. 
• To promote patriotism and work for international accord and friendship among people. 
• To aid and encourage the development of youth, in the belief that the giving of one's self in service will advance the well-being of man, his community and the world.

OPTIMIST CREED

Promise yourself
• To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. 
• To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet. 
• To make all your friends feel that there is something special in them. 
• To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. 
• To think only the best, to work only for the best and expect only the best. 
• To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. 
• To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future. 
• To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile. 
• To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others. 
• To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble. 

Below are the organizations we have funded in the history of TOC: