Rochester Optimist Club highlights year's achievements during annual banquet

Rochester Optimist Club hosted a banquet that honored members for their dedication to the community with a dinner and awards Monday, Oct. 28, at the Fulton County Museum.

Rochester Optimist Club members gathered at the Fulton County Museum Monday, Oct. 28, for its annual Appreciation Banquet. 

The Optimist Club is an international organization dedicated to supporting the local youth by engaging in volunteer work to raise funds for selected organizations in the community that enhance the well-being of children. The banquet on Monday served to give thanks to members for their dedication to the club and included a meal, dessert, introduction of new board members and officers, and awards recognizing several club members time and dedication spent volunteering during the past year. 

Speaking during the banquet, former club president John Little said the Rochester Optimist Club raised $38,659.18 for community projects. Little mentioned one of the club projects involved working with the Fulton County Public Library and raising $6,000 for Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, a book gifting program that mails free books to children from birth until they begin school in participating areas. Little said around 500 children are enrolled locally in the program. 

Among those receiving awards at the banquet, Robin Burkett was presented the Optimist of the Year award by Little. The Optimist of the Year award is given each year to represent someone from the club that goes above and beyond the call of duty for the organization and the community. Nominations are accepted the month prior to the awards banquet each year.  

This year's President Citation award was given to Kim Rogers and Micah Towne. Rogers was presented the award by Rochester Optimist Club President Lauren Adley and the former club president. The President Citation is presented to club members who proved to have exceptional dedication, care, effort and love in Optimist Club activities. Fulton County HOPE was also recognized as the Pumpkin Volunteers of the Year for its efforts in helping at the Pumpkin Stand along East Ninth Street.