​CHILDHOOD HEALTH & WELLNESS  -  SPREAD  RELIEF

In response to requests from Optimist Clubs and recognizing the broad range of childhood health-related issues, Optimist International and our Foundations are excited to announce the Childhood Health & Wellness Program.
The Childhood Health & Wellness Program will build on the highly successful Childhood Cancer Campaign to expand our impact. Clubs and Districts will now have the opportunity to initiate projects and services to improve the quality of life for children in their communities across a broader spectrum of needs.
Childhood Health & Wellness will include four focus areas (not limited to the examples below):
  • Healthy Lifestyles (Child Obesity, Healthy Eating, Physical Fitness, Happy Heart Advice, March of Dimes)
  • Chronic Diseases (Childhood Cancer, Juvenile Diabetes, HIV, Multiple Sclerosis, Muscular Dystrophy, Sickle Cell Anemia)
  • Mental Health (Depression, Bullying, Abuse)
  • Disabilities – Physical, Intellectual & Developmental (Autism, Special Olympics)


As of January 1, 2019, the Optimist International Foundation will accept contributions for Childhood Health & Wellness with the intent of creating a grant program. Contributions previously made to the Childhood Cancer Campaign (CCC) will be used to support Childhood Cancer. Any US, Caribbean & International Club not served by Canadian Children’s Optimist Foundation may complete this Grant Application. The Canadian Children's Optimist Foundation (CCOF) had previously introduced a Childhood Health and Wellness initiative called "Spread Relief". Canadian Clubs must apply through the Canadian Foundation, please visit www.ccof-foec.org.
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2025 2026 -Childhood Health & Wellness Chair- Deedre Tysiaczny