The club donates funds to support the following:
Ocean City Recreation and Parks
Ocean Pines Recreation and Parks
Selbyville Baseball
After Prom parties at four high schools
Reading, behavior, and other programs at three local elementary schools
Programs at middle and intermediate schools
Worcester County Arts Council and scholarships for summer programs
Worcester County Gold Youth and Family
Help Them Hear
Hugh O’Brien Foundation
Optimist International Foundation
Optimist Maryland Cancer Program
Fund Raising
Seaside Boat Show
The 2023 Seaside Boat Show was our 40th year. We wish to extend our thanks to all the Vendor, Guests, and Club members for participating in this years event. Over 15,000 people visited the show between Thursday and Sunday.
The Winner of the Pontoon Boat and motor was Rob Storm of PA. Again we thank North Bay Marina for their generous donation of this door prize. Every visitor to the show has an entry from their ticket purchase to win this great prize.
Fish in OC held a workshop and every guest attending had their name in a draw for a 4hp motor donated by Goldsborough’s Marine. The winner was Charles Nock of Stockton, MD. Thanks to Fish in OC and Goldsborough’s Marine.
Scholarship Lotto
The OC/Berlin Optimist Youth Foundation held their 50/50 cash raffle to earn funds to support the OC/Berlin Scholarship Fund at this years 40th Annual Seaside Boat Show. (50% to Scholarship Fund; 50% to cash prizes)
The Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to local high school students. With your support over the past 30 years we have contributed to over $2,000,000 in scholarships to local students.
The 2023 winners are: First Prize 50% of the total contributions, $8,800 to Robin Haynes from Thurmond, MD Second Prize $750 to Carole Spurrier from Berlin, MD Third Prize $500 to Jim Bradshaw
We look forward to the 2024 Boat Show to again provide opportunity for others to contribute to our support of the kids in Worcester County.
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.
The 2023 Tournament will be held on Wednesday, August 30th at the Ocean City Golf Club. An updated application form will be posted shortly. If you have interest in attending with event please contact Charles Smith at (410) 641-6746, or Christopher Short at (401) 703-3999.
Foundation Endowment Supporters 2022/2023:
Diamond Sponsor: Elks Lodge 2645
Silver Sponsors: American Legion Post 166 Park Place Jewelers Rich Caproni
Bronze Sponsors: Elk’s Lodge 2645 Golfers OC Grand Prix Leisure Time Associates Baja Amusements Ayres, Jenkins, Gordy and Almand, PA Bonfire Bayside Skillet Adkins Company Mitchell & Hastings Financial Services Bank of OC [2] Seatime Interval Owners Harborside Claudia Nichols Insurance DePalma Dental First Shore Federal S&L Lew Frey Burbage Funeral Home
In Memory of Richard Caproni by the Capronis In Memory of Micheal and Barbara Hannan by the Capronis In Memory of Richard Dalton by Larry Campbell In Memory of Jo Smith by Charles Smith [2] In Honor of Foundation Founders, Jim Flaig, Jack Hyle & Charles Smith by Larry Campbell In Memory of Carol Dorman and Jack Middleton by the Dormans
Foundation Endowment Donors 2022/2023:
Golf Courses: Seaside Newport Bay Ocean Resorts Rum Pointe Lighthouse Sound Man’O War Ocean Pines
Other Donors: Action Island Imprinters Buddy Sass Racetrack Auto Ayers Creek Adventures Charles Smith Food Lion Southside Deli Stuart’s Antiques Lombardi’s Rayne’s Reef
Optimist Donors and Volunteers: Jim Flaig Larry Campbell Charles Smith Jodi Popipolaski Lew Frey Rich Caproni Jim Welsch Anita Welsch Bill Hickey Charlie Dorman Bill Brown Melva Dorman Don Fentress Roger Pacella Harry Haag Judy Haag Cindy Malament
Please see our Galley to print the Registration Application.
Convention Center 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 fund raiser.
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. 
Berlin Christmas Parade
The Ocean City Berlin Optimist Club participated in the Berlin Christmas parade this December. The Float displays the Pontoon Boat that will be gifted during the 40th Annual Seaside Boat Show this February.