WHAT WE DO

The Wheat Ridge Optimist Club conducts several major programs each year and supports numerous.  All are funded by club fundraising projects or by direct contributions from donors.

OUR MAJOR PROGRAMS

Christmas Community Outreach Program – in partnership with the Wheat Ridge Police Department, the WROC provides grocery gift cards, clothing gift cards, and toys to 70-100 families in the local area who need assistance at holiday time.  It starts with the Blue Santa Toy Drive on Thanksgiving weekend and includes the support of local businesses that put up a giving tree at their location with tags for patrons or employees to fulfill a child’s wish.  This program has been in place for close to 3 decades and is the biggest project each year for the WROC.

Autism Rescue Kits (NOAH’S ARK) – Autism Rescue Kits were the brainchild of a WROC member who understood a need in the community for first responders and caregivers to be able to assist children on the autism spectrum.  The kits are designed to calm someone experiencing stress/anxiety related to a traumatic incident.  The kits are provided free of charge to first responders (fire, emergency medical services and law enforcement), to teachers/counselors, school staff, and to parents/family members with autistic children.  Donors can sponsor a kit – and then renew the sponsorship when it has been fulfilled.

Scholarships – WROC gives two to four $2,500 scholarships each year to graduating seniors from WRHS.  WROC also participates in AWRSAY-Arvada/Wheat Ridge Service Ambassadors for Youth - a local group of services organizations who partner with Red Rocks Community College to give grants to youth (grades 8-12) who have overcome adversity.  AWRSAY offers grants totaling over $24,000 each year and Scholarships to RRCC to High School seniors over $56,000 each year.

Wheat Ridge Optimist Club Scholarship Testimonials  - 

“I hope this letter finds you well during this festive season. As I celebrate Christmas with gratitude, I wanted to express my sincere thanks for the invaluable support provided by the Wheat Ridge Optimist Club. Your generosity has lightened my academic journey, allowing me to focus on my studies and personal growth. This Christmas, I reflect on the positive impact your scholarship has had on my life, motivating me to excel in both academics and community service. I am committed to making the most of this opportunity and want to assure you that your belief in my potential is not in vain. Wishing you and your loved ones a joyous Christmas filled with warmth and happiness. Thank you for making a difference in my education. Warm regards, Peyton  PS...My current GPA for the Fall semester is 3.25”

"It has been extremely exhilarating challenging myself  and trying new things. Thank you again helping me pay for a significant amount of my first semester of college, I am extremely grateful. I am soon going to apply for internships at local dental offices, and I have made a few connections with orthodontists who have told me about their current work." - GC

JOI Clubs – Junior Optimist clubs support youth to learn about giving to their community and the world. We currently sponsor a Junior Optimist Club at Prospect Valley Elementary School in Wheat Ridge with over 60 students and have a club in Wheat Ridge High School, and also another 12 JOI members at Stevenson Elementary.

Safety Appreciation – annually, we honor those from our community who are on the front lines of taking care of us – police, fire, and hospital emergency service.

Farmer’s 5000 – we are a proud sponsor of this annual 5k race that supports programs at WRHS.

Other Support

  • Ronald McDonald House – provides meals for residents of the House 2-3 times each year, and Christmas Dinner. We served over 80 people this last Christmas.

  • Brain Bowl – a “College Bowl”-type competition for middle schoolers.

  • STEM – support for the nationally-acclaimed WRHS STEM team.

  • Wreaths Across America – participate in the Christmastime honoring of veterans by placing wreaths at gravesites of veterans.

  • Optimist International Scholarships and Childhood Wellness programs donation.

  • Local community donations – Trunk or Treats, Halloween costume giveaway, Porchlight, CASA, Bessie’s Hope, Shiloh House, and many others.

Fundraisers

Wheat Ridge Carnation Festival – the annual summer festival for the City of Wheat Ridge includes a parade and festival-in-the-park where the WROC sells beverages (beer, wine, soft drinks and water) to festival patrons.

Christmas Community Outreach Program – targeted fundraising for this program is launched in November each year and is supported by individual donors and local government charity funds.

Online Auction – an auction of restaurant cards, gift items and fun experiences donated by local businesses and individuals – all conducted online.

Pancake Supper – in partnership with WRHS and local McDonalds’ restaurants, an evening with friends in the high school cafeteria to have fun and eat pancakes for dinner!

Opti bucks – at our weekly breakfast meeting, we take a few minutes to “pass the bucket” and let members honor accomplishments or promote an event.  This activity funds over half of the annual scholarships awarded by WROC.