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PALMETTO OPTIMIST
Friends of Youth
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WHO WE ARE
About Us
The Palmetto Optimist Club is a volunteer organization dedicated to bringing out the best in the youth of the Sumter, SC community. By providing hope and positive vision Optimists bring out the best in youth, our community and ourselves.
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Join us on the 2rd Tuesday of each month at 7pm at the Sumter Chamber of Commerce.
Call us at (803)847-5834
Email us at PalmettoOptimistClub@gmail.com
Follow us on Facebook and Instagram @PalmettoOptimistClub
OUR COMMUNITY PROJECTS
Making a Difference
READING IN THE PARK
Every spring we give away thousands of books to children in Sumter during the Heart of Sumter Neighborhood Association's Art in the Park.
Savor Sumter Burger Cookoff for Childhood Cancer
Locals for teams to battle it out for Sumter's juiciest throw down and the title of best burger. Funds raised benefit Children's Cancer Partners of the Carolinas and are designated for children battling cancer in Suter and clarendon counties.
Donate a Duffle Bag
Children in foster care often arrive in care with the clothes on their backs or all of their personal items in a garbage bag. Your $20 donation will purchase a duffle bag for a child in foster care at Crosswell Children's Home in Sumter, SC. The Palmetto Optimist club will personalize the bag with the child's name and deliver it to the home. Click the duffle bag to the right to make your donation.
Multiple DatesThu, Dec 14SumterDec 14, 2023, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PMSumter, 1835 Camden Hwy, Sumter, SC 29153, USADec 14, 2023, 6:30 PM – 8:30 PMSumter, 1835 Camden Hwy, Sumter, SC 29153, USAFor new and experienced crocheters and knitters. We meet on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Yarn, hooks, patterns and snacks are provided. Want to learn? Come on! Hats and lap blankets are donated to children battling cancer through Children's Cancer Partners of the Carolinas.
Multiple DatesTue, Dec 19SumterDec 19, 2023, 7:00 PM – 8:00 PMSumter, 32 E Calhoun St, Sumter, SC 29150, USA
Learn more
Want more details about what we do? Scroll below to find stories and the latest updates about how our work is helping make an impact. We invite you to learn more about our efforts and help spread the word.
Battle Buddies 2021
Card Carrying Optimist
Burger Cookoff 2022
Donate New or Used Bicycles
The Evening Optimist Club of Sumter conducts an annual a project for underprivileged youth in the Sumter Community called “Cycles for Christmas”. Over the last 25 years more than 5000 bicycles have been given to needy children in the Sumter area. This year the Palmetto Optimist Club would like to continue to support that effort.
“Cycles for Christmas” involves collecting used bicycles, donated by individuals throughout the county, and having them repaired and/or refurbished to be distributed to deserving Sumter young persons. The Sumter County fire stations have agreed to serve as our drop off points again this year. The cycles are being collected, sorted and repaired by Optimist and other volunteers.
Donations can be made at all Sumter Area Fire Stations.
(Alice Drive Fire Dept. preferred) If you need bikes picked up or would like to volunteer your time, contact Tom Lawrence 803-983-2875.
