Optomist club fundraiser a success

The Blackfoot Valley Optimist Club held a successful fundraiser over the Christmas holidays and is looking forward to new events and opportunities for 2021.

"It went very well," said club president Shayne Lindsay. "It looks like our net on it was just over $3000." The Optimist Club had planned to raffle one quilt as well as a large stocking filled with donated items. There were so many donations that the club was able to raffle off two, said Lindsay, one that included a handmade table and the other a handmade sleigh.

The funds from events like this go directly back into the community, said Lindsay, with a focus on serving youth.

"The money that we raise here stays here. It's up to us how we spend it," Lindsay said, adding that he believes a couple of requests will be made at the January meeting.

To request funds, the Optimist Club asks for an account of what the money will be used for, how much the request is, and how many kids it will impact.

"We ask that they get in touch with me the week prior to the last Monday of the month, so that I can get it on the agenda," said Lindsay. "We do ask that they present it to the group. All the fiscal decisions are made by our board." After the presentation, club members are given the next month to think about the request and talk it over with board members before they vote at the next meeting.

The Optimist Club is also in the planning stages for some other events this year.

"We're trying to put together our ATV scavenger hunt in May of this year," said Lindsay, noting that Chad Sutej is leading up those efforts.

Chartered in June of 2019, Lindsay said the club has recently added a couple new members and has an active membership.

"We encourage anyone to come and check out a meeting or two," said Lindsay.

The Optimist Club meets the last Monday of every month at 6:30 p.m. in the back room of Lambkins.