Optimist Club of Raleigh

10/02/2026

We’ve begun a brand new year!
Our Club President is (Me), Timothy Johnson! I look forward to serving the Club and guiding us as we create a meaningful impact in the greater Raleigh/Apex area! Invite a friend! Let’s continue to build this community!

09/24/2026

North Carolina East District of Optimists came together in N. Myrtle Beach for our annual District Convention last week! Representatives came from 11 different clubs across the District, including Raleigh, Wake Forest, Garner, Henderson, Wilson, East Wake (Zebulon), Wilmington, Goldsboro, Greenville, Rocky Mount, Elizabethtown, and others.
Our Raleigh Club VP, Timothy Johnson, is concluding his year of service as District Governor!
Attendees at the Convention took part in training sessions, fellowship, fun activities, a dinner out, a special breakfast, the District Convention business, including voting for Governor for the 2027-28 Optimist Year, and even a Masquerade Ball and Banquet!
The Optimist International President, Tom Kendo, and First Lady Jennifer Kendo, honored us with the their presence. Likewise, current International Vice President, Dale Hoffert and incoming International Vice Presidents Colleen Coombs and Marino Garbin also attended!
District events such as quarterly conferences and annual District Conventions are a wonderful time to reconnect and celebrate the GREAT work we’re doing across Eastern North Carolina!

08/13/2026

🍪💙 Small Gifts. Big Smiles.

In celebration of National Chocolate Chip Cookie Day, members of the Optimist Club of Raleigh had the joy of sharing a little sweetness—and a lot of love—with the girls at the Optimist Cottage at Boys & Girls Homes of North Carolina.

The gift bags were filled with treats, activities and a few surprises, but the best part was seeing the smiles they brought. 😊

Our relationship with Boys & Girls Homes is about much more than one special day. It’s about showing up, encouraging young people, and reminding them that there is a community of Optimists cheering them on.

Sometimes it’s the simplest gestures—a thoughtful gift, a sweet treat, and knowing someone is thinking of you—that can brighten a day.

Because Bringing Out the Best in Youth can happen in big ways…

…and sometimes, one chocolate chip at a time. 🍪❤️

07/14/2026

💙 A heartfelt THANK YOU to everyone who helped make our School Supply Drive a success!

Because of the incredible generosity of our Optimist Club members, Optimist Farm affiliates, and our amazing community, we collected school supplies that will help local students start the school year feeling prepared, confident, and supported.

Your kindness will make a real difference for families and teachers as they head back to school!

07/06/2026

One week left! Please consider donating to our local youth. ❤️

We are excited to share the launch of the Optimist Club Supply Drive.

As Optimists, our mission is to bring out the best in youth, our communities, and ourselves, and this is a tangible way we can put that mission into action!

This year, we will be collecting supplies for several organizations that directly impact children in our community.

🖍️ It’s easy to help!

✔️ Purchase items directly from our wish lists
✔️ Ship them directly to a club member or porch drop
✔️ Share this post to help us spread the word

No donation is too small—every notebook, box of crayons, backpack, and pencil helps a child start the school year with confidence.

💙 Together, we can make a lasting impact on local youth.

👉 Learn more and donate here: https://raleigh-optimist.org/school-supply-drive/

P.s. it’s Amazon Prime and Target Circle Week 😉

06/23/2026

We are excited to share the launch of the Optimist Club Supply Drive.

As Optimists, our mission is to bring out the best in youth, our communities, and ourselves, and this is a tangible way we can put that mission into action!

This year, we will be collecting supplies for several organizations that directly impact children in our community.

🖍️ It’s easy to help!

✔️ Purchase items directly from our wish lists
✔️ Ship them directly to a club member or porch drop
✔️ Share this post to help us spread the word

No donation is too small—every notebook, box of crayons, backpack, and pencil helps a child start the school year with confidence.

💙 Together, we can make a lasting impact on local youth.

👉 Learn more and donate here: https://raleigh-optimist.org/school-supply-drive/

P.s. it’s Amazon Prime and Target Circle Week 😉

05/25/2026

On Memorial Day, we honor the heroes who made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation and our freedom. We will never forget them.

05/25/2026

Today, we pause to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice reminds us that freedom is never free; it is built on courage, commitment, and selflessness.
As Optimists, we carry their legacy forward by serving others, strengthening our communities, and bringing out the best in those around us.
This Memorial Day, honor their sacrifice through action.
👉 Volunteer. Lift others. Be the reason hope continues.
Visit https://www.optimist.org/landingpage/ to find out more today! 🇺🇸 🇺🇸

Today, we pause to honor the brave men and women who gave their lives in service to our country. Their sacrifice reminds us that freedom is never free; it is built on courage, commitment, and selflessness.
As Optimists, we carry their legacy forward by serving others, strengthening our communities, and bringing out the best in those around us.
This Memorial Day, honor their sacrifice through action.
👉 Volunteer. Lift others. Be the reason hope continues.
Visit https://www.optimist.org/landingpage/ to find out more today! 🇺🇸

05/10/2026

Happy Mother’s Day to all of the moms out there! We acknowledge and appreciate all that you do! .

04/30/2026

On Saturday, April 25, 2026, the Raleigh Optimist Club hosted its annual Oratorical Contest at the Strong Center, in Fuquay Varina. Students from local high schools and home schooled students delivered powerful speeches on the topic:
“The Moment I Realized I Belonged - My Definition of Community.”

Congratulations to our winners:
1st Place: Avishai Deshpande
2nd Place: Morgan Armstrong
3rd Place: Emma Kate Gossett
4th Place: Makayla Macklin

The winners will advance to the District contest in Garner on May 2, 2026, where they will compete for a $2,500 scholarship.

The District’s winner will then advance to the Optimist International Regional/World Championships Contests held July 17-18, 2026 at Saint Louis University in St. Louis, Missouri.

Club Vice President (and North Carolina East Optimist District Governor) Timothy Johnson served as the Master of Ceremony. Stacey Smith, Club Secretary, coordinated the venue and served as Timer. Jennifer Smith served as the Sergeant-at-Arms.
Our Distinguished Judges: Kris Bethea, Nicole Parvin, and Chris Wilson

This event continues to empower youth, build confidence, and develop tomorrow’s leaders through public speaking.

Congratulations to all! Well done!