UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

Dear Whitewater Community:

The UW-Whitewater Community Optimist Club regrets that we are unable to staff the gyro stand for the Fourth of July Festival this year. This would have been the 35th year of operation, and we know that many of you will be sorely disappointed!  As you might know, our Club has used the proceeds of this fundraiser to provide opportunities for the youth of the area through events such as Breakfast with Santa, the Easter Egg Hunt, a fishing derby, scholarships, youth grants, the school district emergency fund, the Whitewater Food Pantry, and much more.

We appreciate the support that the community provides through participation in our fundraisers throughout the year, but our membership has dwindled as potential new members have found themselves pulled in many directions and participation in civic groups has declined in the City of Whitewater and throughout society, in general. We welcome new members who are interested in reversing the trend and who would actively participate in helping our Club serve the youth of Whitewater.  Membership is not restricted to UW-Whitewater staff; “Community” is an important word in our Club name!  At one time, there were two Optimist clubs in Whitewater (University and Community) and we merged several years ago.

We hope to return to making gyros and seeing your happy faces next year, but we need your support through participation in our Club. Let’s keep our “Friend of Youth” motto alive and thriving in our community!  If you’re interested in being a part of the solution, please contact me for information about joining the UW-Whitewater Optimist Club.

Share the Optimism,

Dave Halbach, Club President

UW-Whitewater/Community Optimist Club

920-650-6089 or 262-472-5749