The Optimist Club is a voluntary organization of local civic-minded men and women motivated by the desire to contribute to the community. By believing in young people and empowering them to be the best they can be, Optimist volunteers continually make this world a better place to live. There are 105,000 members who belong to more than 3,200 clubs worldwide, serving over six million young people every year.
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Do you enjoy helping others?
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The Pittsburgh North Optimist Foundation has been in existence for over 30 years and is currently recruiting new members, supporters & leaders. We continue to look for new, creative ideas to help the local youth and community. By joining us you could help develop and implement projects and programs that improve our neighborhoods and give more opportunities and help to our local youth.
We are a small group of volunteers comprised of your friends, neighbors, and co-workers. Membership is open to all. With no overhead, the majority of funds raised are invested in local projects. We are particularly focused on kids. We work with schools, churches, and other civic organizations to provide funding, activities, and volunteers to help local youth. We meet regularly throughout the year at a local business. Meetings last no longer than an hour and are followed by social time which is fun and a good opportunity to meet or catch up with fellow Optimists. Attending meetings is not mandatory.
PNOF conducts several annual fundraisers such as the Paddle Tennis Tournament, the Lucky Ducky Derby, The Carl A. Bongiovanni Scholarship Golf Tournament, The Cornhole Tournament, and the Holiday Toy Drive.
All are fun events that offer the opportunity to get involved in your community and help local youth. Although your time commitment to volunteer, sponsor, or donate is a personal decision, there is no pressure.
If you would like to join a committed, friendly & fun group of community-minded folks contact John Harford by phone, 412-782-4120 or by email at jharfordjr@aol.com.
Our Fundraisers
Golf Tournament
Our golf tournament is held every year to raise money for the Carl A. Bongiovanni Memorial Scholarship. You can sign up as a group or as a single and we can pair you up with a group. You can participate in the golf tournament and dinner, dinner only, or make a donation. The golf tournament is our biggest fundraiser of the year. The Carl A. Bongiovanni Memorial Scholarship provides students with funding for beginning or continuing his or her education in the building/construction trades at a post-secondary institution.
Lucky Ducky Derby
This event is held in May at O’Hara Township Community Park along the creek. It is held in conjunction with the Fox Chapel District Association Community Day Picnic. Participants buy rubber ducks that are released into the creek and raced to a finish line for prizes to local businesses or gift baskets. Kids are huge fans of this event!
Cornhole Tournament
Our cornhole tournament is held in the fall at Allegheny RiverTrail Park in Aspinwall. Teams compete for prizes and help to raise money for various local youth programs and causes. We will have music and food and beverage options on hand.
Holiday Toy Drive
Every holiday season we collect unwrapped toys and gifts for children up to age 18. All donations are given to Sharpsburg Family Worship Center for their “Give a Gift” Program.
Paddle Tennis Tournament
Our paddle tennis tournament takes place in winter at the Pittsburgh Field Club. Registrants participate in a bracketed tournament at the four courts on site for prizes and to raise funds for our different local, youth-focused projects.
Let's talk
If you're optimistic, or if you want to become more optimistic then contact us. Helping others is one of the best feelings in the world, it will feed your hope for the future generations. Use the form below to reach us by email. Cheers!