The club donates funds to support the following:
Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks
Selbyville Baseball
Boy Scouts
Girl Scouts
4H and county fair
4Step Riding
After Prom parties at four high schools
Reading, behavior, and other programs at three local elementary schools
Programs at middle and intermediate schools
Play it Safe
Worcester County Arts Council and scholarships for summer programs
Festival of Lights
Believe in Tomorrow
Big Brothers and Big Sisters
Worcester County Gold Youth and Family
Berlin Baseball
Berlin Football
Help Them Hear
Junior Achievement
Ocean Pines Angler Club
Hugh O’Brien Foundation
Optimist International Foundation
Optimist Maryland Cancer Program
Ocean City Art League
Seaside Boat Show
The 2024 Seaside Boat Show will be our 41st year.
We wish to extend our thanks to all the vendors, guests, and club members for participating in last year’s event. Over 15,000 people visited the show between Thursday and Sunday.
Each year with the support of North Bay Marina we give away a pontoon boat. Use your entry ticket to enter into the drawing for this wonderful prize.
Scholarship Endowment Golf Tournament
In 2001 the Optimist Club Foundation established an endowment account with the Community Foundation of the Eastern Shore. Funds are raised for the award of scholarships to Stephen Decatur High School. Over $95,000 has been raised through the annual golf tournament in the past 13 years.
Convention Center Ushering & Assistance
Optimist members provide ticket takers and ushers for the Performing Arts Center at the convention center. Each hour worked is credited to the rent for the boat show. Over $30,000 has been realized in rent reduction to support the major club fundraiser.
The Ocean Pines Children’s Theater is grateful to the Ocean City/Berlin Optimist Club for their donation in support of the production of Disney’s Frozen JR musical performed on Friday, January 14, and Saturday, January 15. The cast of 16 youth kept the audience of 805 adults and children spellbound during the two performances.