The 2022-2023 board of directors of the Optimist Club of Perdido Bay were recently installed by Vera Hendrix, governor of the Alabama/Mississippi Optimist District.

The officers for the club's 2022-2023 year are President Dodd Bouchillon, Vice President of Membership Daniel Randall, Vice President of Programs Jeff Keener, Treasurer Lee Hoffman, and Board Members Mel Whitehurst, Sheila Bouchillon, Linda Warren, Vickie Loper, Karen Rocque, and Melissa Harris.

Jane Foster is the Optimist International representative. Special advisors are Ruth Henderson, Sally McKinney and Judy Wargo.

Founded in 1984, the club has worked to "Bring Out the Best in Kids."

The programs and projects to fulfill that goal include Halloween Trunk or Treat, ARC Community Thanksgiving meal, Ecumenical Thanksgiving service, Breakfast with Santa, Christmas baskets, Christmas Parade, Essay and Oratorical contests.

The group also sponsors Flight Academy, Hoby Leadership Conference and college and technical school scholarships, hundreds of meals for Special Olympics, Easter Egg Hunt, Fishing Rodeo, Baldwin County Respect for Law, End Distracted Driving program, Educator of the Year award and reading and mentoring in Elberta schools.

In addition, the club has donated thousands of dollars to area organizations including Alabama Sheriff's Boys Ranch, Ecumenical Ministries, Elberta schools, High Hopes Autism Program, Habitat for Humanity, Jennifer Claire Moore Foundation Peer Helpers, Lillian Perdido Bay Library, Lillian Recreational Park and Mary's Shelter Gulf Coast.

The club has also support Miracle League of Coastal Alabama, Optimist International Childhood Cancer Campaign, OI Hard of Hearing program, Robertsdale High School and Summerdale Elementary Special Education, Starfish Swim Team, St. Benedict Catholic School Technology Program, Childhood Cancer at Women's & Children's Hospital in Mobile and Youth Reach.

Funds to sponsor these programs are raised at the Annual Mullet Festival on Labor Day and the Flag Program that provides American flags to households and businesses on Memorial Day, Fourth of July, Flag Day, Labor Day and Veterans Day.

This year the club raised more than $34,000 at the Mullet Festival thanks to the 2022-2023 sponsors and visitors as well as more than $6,000 from the Flag Program.

Platinum sponsors of the club are Baldwin County Sewer Service, Floors 2000, Johnson Communication, Elberta Animal Hospital, Hadley Termite & Pest Control, Josephine Baptist Church, Lillian United Methodist Church, Moor Fasteners, Perdido Grading & Paving and Pirates Cove Marina & Restaurant.

The gold sponsor is Perdido Bay Water.

Silver Sponsors are Allen Turner HYUNDAI, Sheila & Dodd Bouchillon, Chubby's Pizza, Elberta Pharmacy, Evans Automotive, Greer's Cash Saver #6, Lillian Pharmacy, Lillian Family Dentistry, Lillian Veterinary Hospital, M.B. "Bill" Jones Tax Service and South Baldwin Regional Medical Center.

Bronze sponsors are Ace Hardware W. Pensacola, Acentria Insurance, Alabama Credit Union, Baldwin Optical, Bay RV Sales, Bobe's Garage, Cason Funeral Service, Coldwell Banker Coastal Realty, Eddie Mercer Automotive, Elberta Clinic, PS, Elberta Pump Repair Inc., Expert Dry, Fisherman's Corner and Gene's Dozer.

Also, Gruenloh Hardy & Associates, PC, Kammer Chiropractic PLLC, Medstar EMS, Mack Funeral Home & Crematory, Pine Rest Funeral Home, Riviera Utilities, Scott's Marine, Doug & Nancy Scott, Schoen Heating & AC, Sheriff Hoss Mack, Southern Chevrolet in Foley, Wolf-Bayview Funeral Home and United Bank.

Friends of Optimist sponsors are Kenny Engel ALFA, Dan's 3D Print Shop, Dick & Betty Erwin, Fireman's Collision, G & J Power Equipment, Hamby's Kitchen Center, Kim Warner Realty, Kovacs Accounting Service, Lamar Wiggins Builders, Lillian Front Porch, Kendal & Vickie Loper, Sharper Knives 4U, The Car Barn, South Baldwin Podiatry, Southern AG, Sterling Tree Service, Sun Coast Builders and Judge Robert Wilters.

For more information about the Optimist Club of Perdido Bay email OptimistClubPerdidoBay@gmail.com or call 256-280-6346. The club meets at 8 a.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. The famous Optimist Club breakfast is free to guests.