Editor’s note: Part of a series highlighting service organizations in Muskogee.

It takes a lot optimism to be cheery and joking at 6:30 in the morning.

But that’s just what happens when members of the Muskogee Morning Optimist Club get together first thing every Wednesday at Hornback’s Restaurant.

However, there’s more to Muskogee’s two Optimist Clubs than looking “at the sunny side of everything.”

The morning club and the Noon Optimist Club share a commitment to making life better and happier for Muskogee’s youth. The two clubs are part of Optimist International, an organization that calls itself “Friend of Youth.”

That’s what got Noon Club member Lee Phipps involved nearly 30 years ago.

“It was the commitment to youth,” he said. “The most important thing we do is teaching young people to be good citizens, make sure they get a good education and be of service to society instead of being in prison.”

Each year, the two clubs sponsor programs and scholarships for Muskogee and Hilldale seniors. Students at each school vote on the boy and girl most worthy of the scholarship.

Members of the Noon Club also help judge the Muskogee Regional Science Fair, and the Morning Club sponsors a fishing derby each year at Honor Heights Park which is in its 23rd year.

Morning Club president Ron Slauenwhite said the club also helps seat people at Civic Center events and sponsors trophies for the Neosho District Cub Scout Pinewood Derby.

A retired insurance agent, Slauenwhite said he and his wife got involved with the Morning Club after moving to Muskogee four years ago.

“We wanted to become involved in the community,” he said.

Slauenwhite said one thing that has kept him involved with the group has been its speakers.

This past Wednesday, for example, guest speaker Carter Bradley, a funeral home director, told members about the value of pre-planning and pre-paying for funeral services and burial.