Optimist Club of Birmingham, Al

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Birmingham, AL
Optimist Club of Birmingham, Al

The Optimist Club of Birmingham has been serving the youth of this community since 1928. Members are

The Birmingham Optimist Youth Foundation is a nonprofit tax-exempt 501(c)(3) corporation, set up to receive and distribute funds to support the club's various service projects for the community, particularly its youth.

03/09/2026

The Optimist Club of Birmingham was proud to sponsor its annual Club Essay Contest, conducted by Contest Chair Desiree Bates, to give students the opportunity to earn a $2,500 college scholarship to the college of their choice. The top 3 Club Essay Contest Winners were invited to attend the Club meeting on February 19th, which took place at Alabama Power Company in Birmingham, to read their essays to our members and guests.

Congratulations to:
1st Place Winner - Christian Stubbs
2nd Place Winner - Reese Childs
3rd Place Winner - Brooks Ford

Each winner received a cash award and a medallion in recognition of earning 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place. Other contestants included Taytem Evans and Haley McAdams who also did an excellent job in writing their essays! All who participated in the contest received a Certificate of Participation.

The Club was proud to submit Christian Stubb's 1st Place winning essay for further competition and wishes him all the best in the Alabama-Mississippi District Contest!

02/20/2026

The Optimist Club of Birmingham is sponsoring its annual Club Oratorical Contest on Saturday, March 7th, 10 am. The contest will be held at Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church, 980 Huffman Rd., Birmingham, AL 35215.

The official topic of the 2025-2026 Optimist International Contest is “The Moment I Realized I Belonged — My Definition of Community”.

The contest is open to contestants under the age of 19 as of October 1st, 2025, and who have not yet completed secondary school or its equivalent. There is no minimum age. Please share with those who may have students who are interested in participating.

There is still time for students to get their application and speech in by the deadline of Wednesday, February 25, to compete in the Club Contest for the opportunity to earn cash awards of $300 -1st Place, $200 - 2nd Place, $100 - 3rd Place. The 1st First Place Winner will advance to the next level of competition for a chance to earn additional scholarships to the college of their choice.

Please click on the link below for the application and to read the rules of the contest in their entirety for more information.

For questions about the contest and/or submitting the application and speech, please contact:
Oratorical Contest Chair Ryan Adams at
[email protected] or 334-328-0700
OR
Oratorical Contest Co-Chair Erma Hinton at
[email protected] or 205-229-6146

https://optimist.org/documents/2026/programs/25-26_Oratorical_Application.pdf

02/08/2026

The Optimist Club of Birmingham carried out its long-standing tradition of "Ringing the Bells" for the Salvation Army during the Christmas season! Optimists Ron Taylor and Adrienne Pearson were two of the several volunteers who rang the bells outside the Belk Summit location at various times on December 8th, 9th, and 16th, as scheduled by Desiree Hutcherson-Bates who served as Chair!

02/07/2026

Optimist Club of Birmingham members and community volunteers served lunch at Pathways Women and Children's Shelter on Saturday, January 3.

Pictured L to R are: Tiffanie Cook (soon to be new member), Joshua Cook (guest), President Sharon Wilson, Adrienne Pearson, Audrey Pickett Wray (guest), and Desiree Bates.

Pathways offers safe housing, resources, and comprehensive support services for women and children experiencing homelessness, to help them achieve stability and self-sufficiency. For more information, visit: https://pathwayshome.org/

02/05/2026

In honor of Optimist Day on February 5th, Zone 1 Lt. Governor Vera Hendrix of the Alabama-Mississippi District, presented a check for Ronald McDonald House Alabama from Optimist International Foundation, to Sean Fredella, Community Engagement Coordinator for Ronald McDonald House Alabama. Other Zone 1 Optimists attending the presentation were Jon Ryan, Nancy Ryan, Sharon Wilson, and Janet Smith.

Pictured L to R:
Jon Ryan - Optimist Club of Birmingham, Secretary
Nancy Ryan - Optimist Club of Birmingham, Club Foundation Representative
Sean Fredella - Ronald McDonald House Alabama, Community Engagement Coordinator
Vera Hendrix – AL-MS District, Zone 1 Lt. Governor
Sharon Wilson – Optimist Club of Birmingham, President
Janet Smith - Talladega Optimist Club Member and Past AL-MS District Governor

Optimist International, AL-MS District, Zone 1 Optimists Ronald McDonald House Alabama Optimist International, Alabama-Mississippi District

02/04/2026

The Optimist Club of Birmingham was proud to support the 4th Annual Classic Cocktails, a Magic City Classic Kickoff Party, sponsored by the Birmingham Public Library (BPL) and Friends of the BPL, on Tuesday, October 21. Chandler Champion, BPL Director of Development, was there to welcome us at the event, which was a great success!

Those who attended the event were: Angene & Jerry Coleman, Clara Greene, Bria Hines, Paula Hines, Anita & Rudy Lee, Jon & Nancy Ryan, and President Sharon Wilson. Other contributors unable to attend included: Dr. Paul Amamoo, Leon Evans, Jr., Shirley Miller, Adrienne Pearson, Ron Taylor, and Nicole Webb.

According to the Classic Cocktails flyer:

"The mission of the BPL is to provide the highest quality experience to our community for lifelong learning, cultural enrichment and enjoyment."

"The Friends Foundation of the BPL is an independent 501(c)(3) tax qualified, non-profit organization. It operates both independently and in partnership with BPL and others to fulfill its mission of supporting the programs, services, and partnerships of BPL through advocacy, outreach, and fundraising. Working closely with BPL staff, the Friends Foundation helps the Birmingham Public Library be the best library it can be."

01/26/2026

The Optimist Club of Birmingham sponsored a new fundraiser during the Christmas season, "Letters From Santa," to benefit the Club's 501(c)3 Birmingham Optimist Youth Foundation to help support the many projects the Club conducts throughout the year to benefit youth in our community.

Club members were asked to sponsor at least 3 "Letters from Santa" to be sent to their children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, friends, etc. Along with a "Letter from Santa", recipients also received an "Official Certificate" from Santa for being on the "Nice List"! For those who might not have anyone in mind to send the letters to, the opportunity to donate the letters for the children at Ronald McDonald House and/or for the women and children at First Light was also available. Co-Chairs of the Committee, Teresa Jones, Clara Greene, and Nancy Ryan, made sure that all of the children at RMH (75), as well as the women and children at First Light (55), received a letter and certificate from Santa, so that no one was left out!

"Letters From Santa" was a great success and brought smiles to the faces of children of all ages, among which included the 11-year-old nephew of Teresa Jones, Alexander Batson! His smile says it all! ❤🥰

01/12/2026

The Optimist Club of Birmingham held its annual Christmas program on Thursday, December 18, at City Club Birmingham. It was wonderful to see so many of our Club Members and guests at the meeting!

Our special guest was 12-year-old London Koi Jones, daughter of Optimist Renee Green-Jones and Derrick Jones, who attends Alabama School of Fine Arts and is already a vocal sensation, as well as an actress and performer! She shared her beautiful gift of voice with us by singing her debut single, "O Holy Night".

The Club was also delighted to have Mr. Dan Williams, Director of Jefferson County DHR, with us for the presentation of thirty $150 gift cards for foster youth, ages 19-21, served through Jefferson County DHR's Independent Living Program.

01/12/2026

The Optimist Club of Birmingham conducted "A Salute to Our Veterans" Program on Wednesday, November 19, to honor Club Members and/or their family members who have served our country. The event was held at Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Birmingham.

Our Keynote Speaker was Dr. Rev. Jerry Jones, who was also honored for his service during the program. He was accompanied by his wife, Teresa. Other guests included Ramsay High School JROTC Cadets 1LT Janiya Anderson, 2LT Nisa Muhammad, 2LT Journey Sharpe, accompanied by Army Instructor, First SGT Hardwick "Rico" Hall.

Twenty Veterans were recognized and honored for their dedicated service to our country. Each Veteran received a Certificate of Appreciation, along with an American flag lapel pin. The Club wishes to thank ALL those who have served our country!

01/08/2026

The Optimist Club of Birmingham sponsored its annual Door Contest for Red Ribbon Week on Monday, October 20, at Legacy Prep Charter School, located on Daniel Payne Drive in Birmingham. Red Ribbon Week campaign is the nation's largest and oldest drug prevention program, promoting a drug-free lifestyle through community and school-based activities.

Red Ribbon Week Chair Angene Coleman, along with Club Members Desiree Bates, Adrienne Pearson, and Nicole Webb, who served as door judges, did an excellent job in conducting the contest! There were five 3rd classes, with approximately 96 students, who participated in the contest this year. Each student received a goody bag for participating in the contest.

11/26/2025

The Optimist Club of Birmingham was honored to have Alabama-Mississippi District Gov. Michael Holt, District Secretary-Treasurer Norma Stewart, and Zone 1 Lt. Gov. Vera Hendrix as our distinguished guests at the October 16th Club meeting held at Alabama Power Company in the Electra Room.

The meeting featured the Installation of Club Officers and Board of Directors for the 2025-2026 Optimist year, along with the presentation of the President's Citation to Adrienne Pearson as the 2024-2025 Optimist of the Year, as well as the induction ceremony for three of our newest members: Debra Jackson, Joy Stanley, and Nicole Webb. President Sharon Wilson also shared her vision for the Club as we look forward to continuing to serve our community throughout the 2025-2026 year!

10/06/2025

The Optimist Club of Birmingham sponsored a BINGO & Ice Cream Sundae Night with children and their families at Ronald McDonald House in Birmingham on Thursday, October 2nd.

The Club provided BINGO prizes for all the children and adults who participated, which was about 40 people in all! Volunteers included Jon Ryan, Nancy Ryan, Connie Demand, Sharon Wilson, Zoe' Champion, and Adrienne Pearson, who greatly enjoyed offering time for a little fun after a long day!

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Birmingham, AL

Website

http://www.birmingham.amoptimists.org/

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03/09/2026

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