The Sunrise Optimist of North Topeka was chartered on May 22, 1962 with 36 charter members. It was sponsored by the Topeka Downtown Optimist Club. The newly organized club met at the Holiday Inn hotel on highway 24. Annual dues were set at $20 per year, payable quarterly. The club voted to have breakfast meetings at 6:45 AM each Tuesday of the week at the North Topeka Holiday Inn.
An election of officers was held and the following were elected:
President: James A. Kuhn; Vice Presidents: Roland Nelson and Frank Cooper;
Board of Directors: Bill Vawter, John Beatty, Jeny McDonkey, Carl Grimes, Dick Morgan, and Bruce Fredericks. Sargent-at-Arms: Bill Vawter Secretary-Treasure: Dean Taylor The following committee chairmen were appointed: Boy’s work, Jerry McConkey; Membership, Richard Morgan; Attendance and Receptions, Dick Lauffer; Public Relations, Mike Penny; Program, John Beatty; Community Service, Carl Grimes; and Finance, Ken Baker.
The Charter members of the club included several professional educators and individuals connected with the Industrial School for Boys. This set the stage for a long and close working relationship with the Boy’s school and the Seaman school district.
The club has met at 6:45 AM every Tuesday at three different locations- – at the Holiday Inn North from 1962 to 1974, the Gage Bowl North from 1974 to 1993, and since 1993 at the present location at the Optimist Event Center, just north across 50th street from Seaman High school.
The official motto of the club during the early years was “Friend of the Boy,” and it was unofficially considered to be a men’s service organization. This has changed to be more inclusive. The motto and purpose changed to “Friend of Youth” and woman are not only accepted but encouraged to be active members.
The club has sponsored such youth activities as: Oratorical and Speech contests, essay contests Boy’s and Girl’s State attendance, Seaman Student of the Month, Hunter’s Safety Programs, drug and alcohol abuse programs, “Just Say No to Drugs” programs, Spelling Bee’s, The Seaman Prom Afterglow, “Teens are Concerned,” Eye Glasses programs, Model Legislative programs, Law enforcement programs, Youth Appreciation Week programs, construction projects, watermelon feeds, canoe trips, financing college scholarships for North Topeka youth, financing various school projects, and other projects with the Summer Outdoor Education programs, supporting the Seaman Activities program by financial donations, constructing and sharing physical facilities, Punt, Pass, and Kick Tri-star programs, Pass, Dribble, and
Shoot Tri-star programs, Teen dances, the “Reading Is Fundamental” program, Supporting Boy Scout Projects, The Octagon Club at YCAT, Jr. Optimist Clubs, Programs sponsored by the Sunrise Endowment Association, Basketball Leagues, T-ball, Baseball, and Softball leagues and tournaments.
The Sunrise Optimist Endowment Association was organized in 1984 for the purpose of providing financial assistance and other support for the continuing education of persons under 25 years of age. This objective has been accomplished through the receipt, investment and administration of gifts, donations, bequests, and memorials. The interest earned on these funds is used to provide aid. Over 100 scholarships have been given to graduates of Seaman High School.