Chartered in 1962, the club has been the “Friend of Youth” in the North Topeka area through service projects and events that support our area youth.  From the original charter of 35 men, the club has grown to a membership over 100 men and women who believe that support and interest of our youth is essential to the strong future of our community.
 
YOUTH SERVICES ACTIVITIES
An Optimist Club intends to aid and encourage the development of youth.  The Sunrise club exemplifies this through support of youth programs such as basketball and baseball leagues, essay and oratorical contests, Boys’ and Girls’ State with the American Legion, Seaman High School After-Glow (post-prom party), high school Student of the Month awards, school carnivals, and Youth Appreciation Day.
 
FUND RAISING
Optimist clubs are chartered with a constitution and by-laws which provide a separate fund for service activities.  All profits from fundraisers are deposited in our service account for youth programs and other service projects.  Members pay dues which are deposited in the club’s operating account to defray club expenses.  Some of our fundraisers include a concession stand during the baseball season, sale of Christmas trees, pancake feed during basketball season, frozen pizza and cookie dough, and a golf tournament.
 
CLUB MEETINGS AND FELLOWSHIP
The Sunrise club meets every Tuesday for breakfast and fellowship starting at 6:00am in the Activity Building at the Optimist Sports Complex, 720 NW 50th Street.  More than 30 members attend the meetings which feature guest speakers on a variety of community events and organizations.  Announcements and guest speaker begin at 6:45 am and meeting closes by 7:30 am.  It is common for members to attend breakfast and then leave for work before 7:30 am.  Except for the annual election of officers, no business is conducted at our breakfast meetings.  We also have social events for spouses and families.
 
OPTIMIST SPORTS COMPLEX
Development of the Sports Complex began in 1986 as a means to provide a facility for the club’s baseball program and for other community events.  A cooperative program with Seaman USD 345 resulted in shared operational costs in return for use by the high school baseball and softball programs.  Improvements are financed by the club’s fundraising activities, e.g. sidewalks, asphalt parking lots, covered dugouts.  The scoreboards and lighting of the ball diamonds used by the high school teams were funded by business advertising and donations.
 
LOCATION 
Sunrise Optimist Sports Complex,  NW 50th & Rochester Road
Concession Stand and restrooms available with all proceeds to support the league
 
 
                                    These are Kids.
                                    This is a game.
                                    The coaches volunteer.
                                    The umpires are human.
                                    This is not Major League Baseball.