CHILDHOOD HEALTH & WELLNESS

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.
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.
There is an exciting opportunity to start supporting the Childhood Health & Wellness Program to serve more children in our communities!
Please mail donation checks to the Optimist International Foundation, PO Box 952126, St. Louis, MO 63195 along with a letter stating that the funds are restricted towards the Childhood Health and Wellness program.
In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of Optimist International, the Optimist International Foundation has available a special commemorative coin to celebrate the milestone. The coin, with the 100th anniversary logo on one side and the Optimist International Foundation logo on the other, highlights the partnership between the two organizations in furthering the mission of Optimism worldwide. This partnership has helped children and communities in thousands of ways: from scholarships to support of Junior Optimist International, to Club Grants and so much more. The proceeds from the 100th anniversary coin will be dedicated to help the launch of the new Optimist International effort: the Childhood Health & Wellness program. This high-quality keepsake will be a 1.5-inch bronze coin, in a blue velour box. The donation will be $100 (USD).
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2022 - 23 CHILDHOOD HEALTH & WELLNESS CHAIR - Stacey Murray