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The Talbot Optimist Club (TOC) Board of Directors recently established the Talbot Optimist Club Fund at Mid-Shore Community Foundation. L-R: Robbin Hill (MSCF), TOC Board Members Greg Frankos, Chris Sadler, Tracey Munson, Sheila Washburn, Rick Van Emburgh and Graham Lee with Mid-Shore Community Foundation.
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The Board of Directors of the Talbot Optimist Club, a local chapter of Optimist International, recently established the Talbot Optimist Club Fund at Mid-Shore Community Foundation. The fund supports the volunteer, non-profit organization’s long-range commitment as “Friends of Youth” in Talbot County. Apart from the Optimist Club’s annual fundraising efforts – like the upcoming 10th Annual Christmas Tree and Greenery Sale at the YMCA– the Talbot Optimist Club Fund is a permanent fund of the Talbot Optimist Club and will serve to add greater, long-range fundraising capabilities to the organization.
“We’re pleased that the Talbot Optimist Club has created an agency fund with Mid-Shore Community Foundation,” said F. Graham Lee, president of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation. “Working together – whether with non-profits like the Optimist Club or individual donors, ultimately helps us all give back more to our communities.”
Non-profit organizations look to the Mid-Shore Community Foundation for help in creating endowments. Invested over time, endowments help non-profits with earnings available to reinvest or support emergent needs. This constant source of funding is an attractive option for both new and established organizations wanting to sustain their mission for the future — as stewards of philanthropy. When non-profit organizations work through the Community Foundation to achieve their charitable goals, they benefit from the Foundation’s expertise in investment and fund management, allowing non-profits to focus on providing direct service. The foundation currently manages more than 36 non-profit funds.
“Establishing the Talbot Optimist Club Fund at Mid-Shore Community Foundation is our way of making sure our fundraising efforts stick,” said Tracey Munson, president (2004-2006) of the Talbot Optimist Club. “Over the years, our Board of Directors has consistently put aside a portion of our yearly funds to support greater, future initiatives of the Talbot Optimist Club – all in support of local youth. With our fund at Mid-Shore Community Foundation, our fund can grow faster – in the experienced hands of the foundation - so we can stay focused on our community service and fundraising initiatives.”
Throughout its 10-year history, the Talbot Optimist Club’s commitment to serving youth has been supported through various fundraising and community services events. The annual Oratorical Contest at the Avalon Theatre, Kids’ Fitness Run/Walk in Easton, Jr. Golf Tournament qualifiers, Pickering Creek Challenge Course, and North Easton Park’s and Homerun Baker’s Talbot Optimist Club baseball fields have all been supported through the volunteer efforts of Talbot Optimist Club members and friends.
Fundraising efforts of the organization, like the Christmas Tree & Greenery sale, Relay for Life “Crab Heads” team and Golf at Margaritaville Tournaments have all helped serve local youth by raising funds for annual donations to organizations like the YMCA of Talbot County, Talbot Mentors, Talbot County Public Schools Laptop Initiative, American Cancer Society, Easton Skatepark, Avalon Theatre, CAPA and numerous youth groups and organizations.
Donors interested in making a lasting gift to the Talbot Optimist Club Fund of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation should contact Tracey Munson, Talbot Optimist President, at 410-822-8470, or F. Graham Lee, President of the Mid-Shore Community Foundation at 410-820-8175. For more information, visit www.mscf.org or www.optimist.org
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