The Club's Inaugural Meeting at Camp Heidelberg: Friday, November 30, 1984

Photos (Left): The Club's Charter President, Larry Gingerich, is shown ringing the bell and (Right) accepting the Club's banner from O.I. Club Building Chairman Steve McDonald at the Club's inaugural meeting held at Camp Heidleberg on November 30, 1984.

 More photos from the Club's early years.
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Part of Optimist International, we serve the youth in the community of Stanley Park in the City of Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, and have been doing so since being chartered on November 30, 1984 . The Club was sponsored by the Optimist Club of Kitchener-Waterloo, one of several other Optimist Clubs in the City of Kitchener - and there are many more in the Region.  Optimism has spread the world over (Optimist International) with the prime objective of working with youth for the betterment of all and the Optimist motto "Friend of Youth". 

In addition to the Blastball. T-Ball and 3-Pitch leagues that the Club became well-known for operating, our Optimist Club ran and/or sponsored numerous other projects. Information on our current, and past projects is available on this Website. If you have photos, articles, etc. you feel would be suitable for this site, please contact us. 

Members generally now meet on the first Tuesday of each month usually at the Stanley Park Community Centre. Until 2019, the Club hosted a bingo session every 2nd Sat. night at The K-W Gaming Centre, 501 Krug Street, Kitchener, to raise funds for club projects and charitable donations but currently only hosts one on the first Monday of each month. 

1986 photo (Standing L-R): Ted Scharf, John Collins, (new members) Richard Luszczek, Dennis Watson, Jon Jamelle & John Watson with member Joe Watson and, sitting, Len woodcock.

The Optimist Club of Stanley Park's Banner

As the patches on the Club banner show, Club members (& friends & spouses) have been very active in the community.
There have been two special celebrations:

(i)The Club's 10th Anniversary was celebrated on February 22, 1994.
ii) On October 23rd, 2004 The Club celebrated its 20th year of serving the youth and community of Stanley Park.

On November 11, 2008 Club members overwhelming voted to go co-ed and start accepting female membership applications.We encourage you to browse through our Website, learn what we do and, maybe, come out and help or even join the Club!