November and December marked our biggest fundraiser of the year. Local businesses across the Chillicothe area generously donated gift cards to be used from December 2025 through December 2026. Our original goal was to award one $1,000 winner, with the drawing held the Saturday before Christmas during the Community Needs Agency food basket giveaway and the Chillicothe Optimist Club toy drive.

Thanks to the overwhelming support of our local businesses, we were able to exceed that goal and award four $1,000 winners, each receiving $1,000 in donated gift cards. The winners were —  Amy Jones, Darlene Groff, Lisa Gillham, and Michele Klein

Raffle tickets were sold for $10 per ticket and gave participants a chance to win $1,000 in gift cards. Through ticket sales, we raised over $3,000, which will be used directly to support youth in our community to award three $1,000 scholarships this spring.

This is what community looks like—local businesses stepping up, neighbors supporting one another, and children benefiting in real, tangible ways.

We sincerely thank the following businesses for making this fundraiser such a success. 

AC Gentrol, Inc

American Legion

Meister-Shane, Ltd

A&A Family Chiropractic

Beau’s Tire & Auto

Becks Gas Station

Best Bet Salon

The Carnegie

Callahan Antiques

Castaways

Chillicothe Car Wash

Chillicothe Liquors

Chillicothe Players

Circle K

Cool Thingz

Cranberry Creek

Covered Wagon Crafts

Crothers Chiropractic

Cutting Edge

Dairy Queen

Dame Coffee

Dream Illustrations

Debbie Reginald (Nail Technician)

Deb at Dollar General

Donna Sarver (Hair Stylist)

EconoLodge

Edward Jones/Matthew Kenady

El Molcajete Mexican Restaurant

Faraway Mercantile

Galena Road Gravel

Gill’s Refrigeration Htg/AC

Gilmore’s Sports Bar

Gorgeous Nails & Spa

Grecian Gardens

Hair Company

Hairapy Room

Hayloft Gift Shop

Heathers

Helping Hands

High Five Apparel

Leila’s Resale Shop

Lingenfelter Insurance

Looking For Treasures

MB Spa Loft

McDonald Oil Change Express

Mike Mahoney Ltd

Midwest Wellness Lounge

Molly’s Pizzeria

Mythical Pet Styling

Nat’s Place

O’Reilly’s Auto Parts

Otto’s Monuments

Owens Design

Pearce Community Center

Peggy Says Sew

Peoria Casting Club

Picket Fence

Plaza Cleaning Center

Rick’s Chicken

Rail Splitte

Rescue Roofing

Shear Grace

Shore Acres Pool

Shortloin

Small Engine Specialty

Sweet Finds/Solz/Threads

Sweetwater Restaurant

Taco Bell

Tanners

Tin Top Hippie Shop

Trust Me Tavern

Verizon

Village Eye Care

Wheels O Time Museum

The Optimist Club had their “After Christmas Party” On January 24th at Grecian Gardens. Everyone had a delicious meal, and afterwards we played a game and exchanged the white elephant gifts, which brought much laughter.

Teachers’ names drawn for January were: Rachel Welch, Leslie Isabell, and Tori Dalton. All are teachers at South School and were given $50 to use in their classrooms.

The Optimists will soon begin planning their fundraisers and programs for 2026. Watch for announcements this spring. 

If you’d like to make a difference in the lives of our youth, we’d love you to join us. We meet at Grecian Gardens for breakfast on the first and third Saturdays of the month. 

Until next time…stay optimistic!