Lewiston-Auburn Optimist Club

05/01/2026

Thank you for volunteering for our Earth Day cleanup. We had 59 volunteers out cleaning up on a beautiful spring day. The prizes have all been distributed to the winners. Thanks for being an Optimist.

04/15/2026

Our Optimist Club is asking for
Earth Day Volunteers
To help our Optimist Club celebrate Earth Day, Wednesday, April 22, 2026, please volunteer to help us by picking up trash in your local neighborhood any time between the dates of Wednesday, April 2ndSunday, April 26th
And register to Win a free meal at a local area Restaurant.
This is a great Community Service Project. Just commit to a minimum of one hour of picking up trash in your community or neighborhood. Invite your club, family, friends, school mates, co workers or neighbors to join you. Register with any Optimist member, email [email protected] or call 783-5269. If you participate in this Earth Day project, you may win a free meal at one of ten local area restaurants. When completed, please send us a picture of your Earth Day group that we can share on our website.

01/02/2026

2026 Essay Contest
You could win the
$2,500 Scholarship

This year’s Topic is:
“How My Acts of Service help me Understand what my Community means to me.”
The guidelines require that contestants be under the age of 19 as of October 1, 2026 and attending school in the United States, Canada, or the Caribbean. The winner of the club contest will advance to the NY-NENG District contest to compete for a $2,500 college scholarship. The District-level scholarships are funded by the Optimist International Foundation. Contest rules and qualifications are listed on the application form. Essays are due in to the Optimist Club by February 10th 2026. You may also visit our national website at www.optimist.org for additional information..
The winner of the local Optimist Club Essay Contest must complete the Club application and meet the attached requirements before the essay is submitted to the NY-NENG District for final judging. The local club winner will receive a $100 prize.
For additional information, or to receive a copy of the rules and regulations, please contact any member of the Tri-Town Optimist Club or email [email protected]..

07/22/2025

Optimist Club announces new Club Officers:
Outgoing Optimist Club President Mamie Ney (R) welcomes incoming Club Officers: Joan Godbout--Treasurer, Sheryl Mathews--Secretary, George Mathews--Vice President, and Angie Snow--President.
The Club meets once a month at Chopsticks Restaurant in Lewiston, and conducts several youth projects in the L A community. For additional information, visit their page, or call 783-5269.

06/12/2025

Optimists often embody a spirit of selflessness, bending over backwards to support others in their quest for happiness and success. Their inherent belief in the goodness of people drives them to go above and beyond, often prioritizing the needs of others over their own. This unwavering dedication can manifest in various ways, from offering a listening ear to providing practical help, all while maintaining a positive outlook.

Their ability to see the silver lining in challenging situations empowers those around them, fostering a sense of community and interconnectedness. While their generous nature can sometimes lead to personal sacrifices, Optimists find joy in uplifting others, believing that a shared journey toward positivity ultimately enriches their own lives as well.

To find an Optimist Club near you, visit
https://www.optimist.org/join.cfm

To connect with an Optimist fill out this form https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=F9KmLNhq40aygRh7G-lrrB1RBNwbM-NGk4pGx7zj_M1URDA2VFNWQU9MV0hMMFdDSVNNNVRDTUROUi4u

06/10/2025

04/05/2025

Join us for Earth Day 2025.
Pick up trash in your neighborhood, register and perhaps be a winner of a free restaurant gift certificate.

03/29/2025

The Optimist Club sponsored an art competition designed to encourage and celebrate youth visual art skills. The Visual Arts Competition is sponsored by Optimist International. The Tri-Town Optimist Club winner will be entered into the International contest. Thirteen pieces of artwork will be chosen internationally to be printed on a set of notecards and the winners will receive a monetary award. The artwork had to connect to a theme. The theme this year was Bringing Out the Best.

Below is the first place winner and another picture with the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place winners.

03/29/2025

Tri-Town Optimist Club-Student of the Month: Congratulations to Poland Regional High School Student of the Month, Elise Gagnon.
Elise Gagnon is a senior at Poland Regional High School. She is a member of National Honor Society and participates in the Precision Machining program at Lewiston Regional Technical Center (LRTC). Last year in the Food,Travel, and Tourism program she received state recognition and completed in Washington D.C. Elise is described by her teachers as a motivated and personable student who always gives her absolute best, treats others with respect, and possesses natural leadership qualities. Elise has a strong interest in horses and is dedicated to caring for her own horses.

L to R: Jeff Gagnon, Elise Gagnon, Wendy Gagnon, Erik Anderson (PRHS Principal)

03/10/2025

Optimists at the Trunk or Treat event in New Gloucester Fairgrounds. . Estimated 600 attended. Wow.