Adopt a Park

The Seward Optimist Club has taken the opportunity to make Bemis Park a better, more beautiful place. Planting flowers, weeding, and clean-up/fix-up days are just some of the things that we do for the park. We have also painted the playground equipment, and we adorn the park fence with soldiers at Christmas.

Highway Clean-Up

Twice a year we organize a highway clean-up, in which our members pick up trash, among many other interesting things. At a stretch of road, about 5 miles west of Seward, the Optimists can be seen walking in the ditches. We usually meet somewhere after the clean-up for food and drinks to celebrate our finds.

Back Pack Program

There are hungry children in the Seward area that rely on the Back Pack Program to help feed them during the weekend or holiday break. This program is designed to meet the needs of children, when other resources are not available. Back packs are filled with non-perishable food items that children can take home, and are discreetly distributed. The Seward Optimists have contributed financially and physically to this program.

Adopt a Family

This program matches impoverished families with group sponsors, such as the Optimist Club, to provide for their tangible needs at Christmas. An inventory of each family's needs is taken and a Christmas wish list is compiled. This gift guide may include toys, clothing, household items and information regarding the utilities and heating sources. Our optimist members purchase items based on the gift guide, to help make the family's holiday a happy one.

Youth Movie Day and Food Drive

Our Optimist Club purchases a kid's movie, therefore buying a ticket for each child attending to watch the movie. In turn, each child donates a can of food to our local food shelter. After the movie our members deliver the food to the shelter. We usually do this movie day/food drive twice a year, and it's successful every time.

Midget Football Concession Stand

During the fall season, Seward has 2 or 3 midget football games at home. For these games, our Optimist members sell concessions, donating a portion of our profits to the midget football league. In the past, our contribution has went to purchase new football pants for the players, among many other useful items.