The Optimist Club of Aurora is a service organization operating within the community of Aurora. We organize programs and raise funds to assist in meeting the needs of the youth in our town. This includes sports, the arts, education, medical, health & wellness and other need that may arise.

Our Club is a motivated group of adults willing to volunteer to help the local youth. We have won various distinguished awards locally, nationally and internationally. We are membersof the Optimist International Organization which celebrated “100 Years of Optimism Service” in 2019.

The goal of an Optimist is to “bring out the best in kids”. This has been our motto since 1919. Club members commit their time and resources to fundraising activities or various programs involving the youth of Aurora.

With the funds we:

• Provide scholarships to students at the 5 Aurora secondary schools
• Support breakfast and healthy snack programs at local elementary schools
• Provide scholarships to students enrolled in the "Stay in School" program offered by the York Region Children’s Aid Society.
• Organize and run an annual chess tournament for students in grades 1-8
• Provide a bursary for our Essay and Oratorical Contest winners
• Provide a bursary for the Aurora Sports Hall of Fame "Future Hall of Famer"
• Support the Town of Aurora Art Show and Youth Innovation Fair
• Award bursaries to recipients from Aurora at the Newmarket Voice Festival.
• Contribute to the Canadian Children's Optimist Foundation
• Provide support to our grassroots program, "Kids In Need Delivered"
• Support the BRAVE Education for Trafficking Prevention program
• and so much more!

Current Board of Directors
President - Deb Finniear
Secretary - Sandra Watson
Treasurer - Carol Bartlett
Past President - Georgia Pottage
President Elect - Stu Bundy
Vice President - Sandy Bundy
Vice President - Glen Sharp
Sgt-at-Arms - Terry Sherrin
Directors: Paul Martin, Greg Grant, Robin Taylor Smith, Maggie Thornton, Jean Rodger