Community Events & Activities
Here are some of the events and activities the club supports throughout the year.
B.U.G. Program - Garner Middle Schools
The Optimist Club of Garner partners with Garner area middle schools to encourage and recognize students who are improving their academic performance through our Bring Up Your Grade (BUG) program.
BBQ Sales
The club does multiple BBQ sales during the year to raise funds for our scholarship programs and giving programs.
Reverse Raffle
In the spring get ready to win it all or part of all as we hold our exciting Reverse Raffle in support of our scholarship programs and giving programs.
Annual Golf Tournament (Me Fine Foundation)
Join us for goodie bags, lunch, golf, and dinner as we host our annual golf tournament in support the Me Fine Foundation who support families with children fighting cancer in our local hospitals.
Big Band Bash in the Park
In September come hang out in Lake Benson Park and take in the sounds of days gone by but of timeless music played the Neuse Rive Big Band. This community concert is free and open to the public. Just a ‘Thank you’ to the community for all your support.
Annual Essay and Oratorical Contests
The Optimist Oratorical Contest gives the next generation the chance to speak to the world. More than $150,000 in college scholarships funded by the Optimist International Foundation is awarded annually from this program.
Garner Optimist Christmas Parade
The holiday season is about love, kindness, and giving. It is families and our community coming together to celebrate our town and making great memories for our kids and all of us that are kids at heart.
That’s what the Garner Optimist Christmas Parade is all about.
Garner’s Best Christmas Tree Lot
Join the Garner Optimist Club as they continue a generations-long tradition of offering some of the finest North Carolina grown Christmas trees. The perfect small town hometown Christmas tree hunting experience.
All proceeds support our local scholarship and giving programs.