It was the depths of the Depression. Kids were hungry and homeless on the streets of Austin. Thirty-six young men, including the sitting Governor of Texas, James V. Allred, decided to do something about it - to make Austin a better place to live - and formed the Austin Optimist Club (Downtown).

The Austin Optimist Club is a civic organization dedicated to serving the youth of greater Austin area. When Optimist Clubs started back in 1919, their motto was "Friend of the Delinquent Boy." Over the years, the words have changed, and our motto now is "Friend of Youth."

We're proud to serve the Austin community! We raise money every year at our Christmas Tree Lot on the corner of San Gabriel and North Lamar. All of the profits from the trees goes to youth charities.

Our club meets almost every Wednesday at 12:15 p.m. at the IHOP at the intersection of Bee Cave and MoPac (1101 S MoPac Expy). We usually have a program and we welcome guests! Come join us and we'll buy your lunch. Here's a recent newsletter .