Biographical History

In the 1900's "as industrialization and urbanization brought many new problems to society, citizens began forming voluntary organizations to address the needs of their communities. In some areas, groups took the name “optimist club” to express their desire for a positive outlook in the face of all these problems. The first official Optimist Club was formed in Buffalo, New York, in 1911."
(http://www.optimist.org/e/member/about5.cfm)

Optimist Club of Red Deer History

The Optimist Club of Red Deer was formed in 1960. The group had 28 charter members, and local lawyer, T.H. Chapman, served as the first president. In the early 1960s, the Red Deer club organized a boxing club, a junior golf program, an oratorical competition, and a boys band.

The group has also been the primary sponsor of the Red Deer Optimist Chiefs midget "AAA" hockey club. The Optimist Club of Red Deer continues to function in the area and has received recognition from numerous bodies for their various initiatives to add to the quality of life for the residents of central Alberta.

Thank you for looking into how the club helps the children and youth of the Red Deer community. The club was created by a group of thoughtful, hardworking men and women and their successors. They meet regularly to support and assist the youth of our community through a wide range of donations and charitable work.

The OCORD is a member of the Red Deer & District Chamber of Commerce.



You can contact the club through the webpage or write,
 
Optimist Club of Red Deer
PO Box 331
Red Deer, AB
T4N 5E9

or through the club's facebook page; Optimist Club of Red Deer.