CALDWELL OPTIMIST CLUB
Chartered March of 1979
Our Projects
Claire Ruehl Memorial Scholarship
In memory of Claire Ruehl, who was an active member of the Caldwell community and its youth programs, the Caldwell Optimist Club has dedicated two college scholarships in his name.
Each year two scholarships, $1,500 and $1,000, are awarded to seniors attending schools in the Vallivue or Caldwell school district boundaries. These scholarships can only be used to attend an Idaho college.
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CONGRATULATIONS!
2023 1st Place Winner: Kaitlyn Nejely
2023 2nd Place Winner: Katrina Nejely
Silver Belt Boxing
The Silver Belt Invitational boxing tournament started in 1979. It was the vision of Manny Albares. He was able to collaborate with the Caldwell Police Athletic League (PAL) and Caldwell Optimist Club to enhance and continue the tournament. The Silver Belt is known for the belt that participants receive when winning their weight division. Boxers come from all over the Pacific Northwest, California, and Canada seeking the covenant Silver Belt of Idaho. The tournament participants come in all sizes, ages, and sexes. Boxers can weigh between 40 to over 200 pounds and ages 8 to 34 are allowed to compete. It is open to both female and male boxers. There are about 20-30 bouts fought during the tournament.
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Junior Golf International Qualifier
The Optimist International Junior Golf Championship is one of the largest and most prestigious junior golf events in the world. In addition to top-level tournament golf, participants can compete against other Junior Golfers from all around the globe, make new friends and have a great deal of fun. The Caldwell Optimist Club puts together the Jr. Golf tournament for Idaho. The tournament winners qualify for the Optimist International tournament. The club helps to pay the way for two qualifies to the international tournament. At the current time we are working with the City of Caldwell golf professionals.
Congratulations to the District Qualifiers.
Good Luck at the International Tournament!
Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership (HOBY)
There vision is to motivate and empower individuals to make a positive difference within our global society, through understanding and action, based on effective and compassionate leadership. The Caldwell Optimist provide a breakfast for the Idaho HOBY conference each year. This is a one morning project that allows the club members to meet some of Idaho’s brightest young people.
Caldwell Public Library
The Caldwell Optimist Club works to provide support to the Caldwell Public Library Summer Reading Program. Designed to help put books into the hands of local kids, the Optimists contribute yearly to this great program. Additionally, we sponsor the monthly Optimist Family Movie at the Library every 3rd Saturday of the month at 2 p.m.
