Our History
The Ventura Sunrise Optimist Club was founded in 1960 and has served our community consistently since then. Ever changing and evolving to meet the needs of our members and community we revise our programs when needed. Here are some of our past endeavors.
Basketball Tournaments
The Sunrise Optimist Club of Ventura partnered with the East Ventura Optimist Club to help run two basketball tournaments each year. These tournaments were held in December and April, giving thousands of youth an opportunity to participate in competitive sports. Proceeds from the Ventura Seaside Tournament served as a major fundraising project for both clubs, thereby allowing us to further support the young people in our community.
Ventura High School Football Tri-Tip Fundraiser
"Those are the BEST tri-tip sandwiches in the county!" Ventura High School football fans look forward to each new season, not just to see their team play but to enjoy our delicious tri-tip sandwiches freshly prepared for each home game.
Through this fundraiser, club members generously donated half of the proceeds to the Ventura High School Parent/Teacher Association and used the rest of the proceeds to fund scholarships, student awards, and other youth activities.
Through this fundraiser, club members generously donated half of the proceeds to the Ventura High School Parent/Teacher Association and used the rest of the proceeds to fund scholarships, student awards, and other youth activities.
Project Secure
Project Secure was a Ventura Unified School District (VUSD) pre-vocational program designed for secondary students receiving special education services. Our club mads a yearly contribution to this program. In addition, Project Secure's "secret sauce" was used to marinate the delicious tri-tip roasts that we used to create our tri-tip sandwiches at Ventura High School home football games. Ken Ballou and the Project Secure team also provided us with special Ken's Blend Marinade, which make wonderful holiday gifts.
Ventura County Medical Center
Pediatric Oncology Center
Annually, our club contributes funds to Ventura County Medical Center's state-of-the-art Pediatric Oncology Center. Our contribution helps support children's needs as they are being treated for cancer.
Pediatric Oncology Center
Annually, our club contributes funds to Ventura County Medical Center's state-of-the-art Pediatric Oncology Center. Our contribution helps support children's needs as they are being treated for cancer.
Nancy Ballard, Adolescent Family Life Program
Future Vision for Teens
The Adolescent Family Life Program provides comprehensive case management services to pregnant and/or parenting teens. These services include parenting education, assistance in achieving educational goals and help in finding community resources. Our Optimist Club assists in these efforts by contributing to the Reading Is Fundamental program. This program provides books to teens and their children three times a year and instructs them on the importance of reading to their child, which fosters bonding and benefits early brain development in children.
The Adolescent Family Life Program provides comprehensive case management services to pregnant and/or parenting teens. These services include parenting education, assistance in achieving educational goals and help in finding community resources. Our Optimist Club assists in these efforts by contributing to the Reading Is Fundamental program. This program provides books to teens and their children three times a year and instructs them on the importance of reading to their child, which fosters bonding and benefits early brain development in children.
Happy Sunset School students say "Thank you."
Outdoor Science Education
Sunrise Optimist Club provides supplemental funds for 5th-grade students to attend Outdoor Science Education camp from two VUSD elementary schools. For more information about Outdoor Science education visit http://www.venturausd.org
Sunrise Optimist Club provides supplemental funds for 5th-grade students to attend Outdoor Science Education camp from two VUSD elementary schools. For more information about Outdoor Science education visit http://www.venturausd.org
All-School District Chorus, VUSD
Heidi House, choral teacher for VUSD, directs elementary, middle school and high school choirs. We honored Heidi for her outstanding teaching contributions as our 2012 Educator of the Year and we continue to support these exemplary music opportunities each year.
Heidi House, choral teacher for VUSD, directs elementary, middle school and high school choirs. We honored Heidi for her outstanding teaching contributions as our 2012 Educator of the Year and we continue to support these exemplary music opportunities each year.
Toys for Tots
The Marine Toys for Tots program (https://www.toysfortots.org) helps millions of less fortunate children share in the magic of the holidays. The Ventura Sunrise Optimist Club makes a donation to the program and members donate toys each year.
The Marine Toys for Tots program (https://www.toysfortots.org) helps millions of less fortunate children share in the magic of the holidays. The Ventura Sunrise Optimist Club makes a donation to the program and members donate toys each year.
