In 1916 a club was formed in Buffalo, New York by men who were interested in helping the delinquent youth in that area. A meeting of several groups throughout the country who were interested in the same goal was held in Louisville, Kentucky later that year to discuss their goals. Optimist International grew from that meeting into what it is today, the fourth largest civic organization in the United States with the slogan "Friend Of Youth." There are now Optimist Clubs in 23 countries around the world with a total of 2000 clubs worldwide. The Jeffersonville Evening Optimist Club is proud to be a charter member of this organization since 1952.

                                                                         
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