Optimist Club of Jackson

Club History
The Optimist Club of Jackson became a Charter Member of Optimist International in 1940. Known as "Friend of the Delinquent Boy", the organization strove to guide delinquent boys to an honorable path in life. The club rapidly grew and membership was soon limited to 75 members. As community needs changed so did the Optimist Club. It wisely dropped the word "delinquent" and became the "Friend of the Boy" concentrating its manpower and financial means to the benefit of all boys and in the 1970’s, became "Friend of Youth", serving both boys and girls. The club welcomes both male and female members.

Over the years the Optimist Club of Jackson has left its mark on the Jackson community. The most notable landmark is the Optimist Ice Arena at 1300 W. North Street, where over ½ million skaters, guests and fans enter during a year. For many years the club maintained a long range of funds hoping someday to find the ultimate project that would become of great benefit to the community. In 1984, the Optimist Club formed the Jackson Optimist Charitable Fund, Inc. In August of 1985 the owners of the Jackson Sports Arena donated the arena to the Jackson Optimist Charitable Fund, Inc. DBA as the Optimist Ice Arena. The ultimate project was off and running with the help from the Optimist Clubs long range fund and community donations.

The Optimist Ice Arena is governed by a Board of Directors made up of seven members of the Optimist Club of Jackson. In July of 1996, due to heavy ice time demand from the community, the Board took on the task of the "Twice the Ice" project. The facility doubled in size with two ice surfaces, expanded lobby, office and concessions and new to the community, a year round skating surface. The community need had been met by the Optimist Club of Jackson. On such a solid foundation, The Optimist Club of Jackson knows no limitation in the years that lie ahead.