For Christmas, the Optimist Club of Gatineau helps 187 local children 

Sonia Roy

The Optimist Club of Gatineau, which participates annually in numerous activities geared towards Gatineau's youth and their well-being, closed the year 2022 by organizing a gift-wrapping activity for local children. A total of 187 children will receive a surprise package containing pyjamas, a pair of socks, a toque, mittens, a gift, a chocolate in the shape of Santa Claus and a toothbrush. Accompanied by their volunteers, the members of the Optimist Club of Gatineau finished wrapping the packages a fortnight before the Christmas holiday, their last community activity of 2022.

Coming up in 2023

The Optimist Club of Gatineau, joined by the Bulletin, already has a full calendar of events planned for 2023. Continuing a long-standing tradition, the Club will hold a giant chocolate draw for Gatineau children during the Easter holidays. In 2022, five elementary schools were visited by the Club as part of this sweet draw. On Saturday, May 13, the Club will hold its annual roadblock, the proceeds of which will be directly invested in youth activities. Finally, in addition to the annual Halloween candy distribution scheduled for October and the Christmas gift wrapping for underprivileged children scheduled for December, the Optimist Club notes that a youth recognition event will be held in the summer. "We don't know yet what activity will be organized, but we will reward some young people for their involvement during the school year," explains the Club. 

Are you interested in volunteering and community involvement? The Optimist Club of Gatineau needs you! "We are always looking for volunteers who would like to help us or who have new ideas/activities that we could organize for young people," said the Club during their exchange with the Bulletin.

Photo caption: Members of the Optimist Club of Gatineau during their gift-wrapping activity

Photo credit: Courtesy of the Optimist Club of Gatineau