Bob Thompson, chair of the Grantham Optimists' community involvement program, said he's impressed by the dedication he sees in some of the youth he works with, especially when considering the demands put on their time.

"One's going to university, and she still has time to do this," he said. "I think them coming out and recognizing what volunteerism is all about is great."

Thompson was speaking last week at the Optimists' annual youth appreciation night dinner, where 31 youth in the programs run by the organization were recognized.

Joe Gouthro, chair of the dinner, said the youth being recognized are representative of the more than 700 who are involved in their programs, which also include Scouting, public speaking, and softball.

He, too, is impressed by the youth who continue volunteering and said they'll make good Optimists if they choose to join when they're older.

Some have expressed interest in joining, he said, but they are prevented from doing so because the minimum age is 19. That interest has led the club to begin looking into starting a Junior Optimist club, which would welcome youth aged 14-18.

Gouthro, who is leading the initiative, said the Junior Optimists would have their own board of directors and would run their own fundraisers to pay for programs helping other youth.

"They would learn what Optimism is about and be engaged in the process of helping the community," he said. "They (youth) want more than to belong to something. They want to feel they're contributing."

The honourees at the annual Grantham Optimists' youth appreciation night dinner include:

HEART TROPHY (SOFTBALL)

Melina Krekorian

Ben Etherington

Lauren Anderson

Christopher Dumas

Jack Davis

Sam Greenlaw

Paul Simons

Brittney Scheers

Lauren Buckley

Nicole Everitt

Derek Hedden

Jessica Miotta

UMPIRE PROGRAM

Andrew Gravestock

Devin Robbins

Dylan Innamorati

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Katie Martin

Kelsey Martin

Elizabeth Richards

Karissa Alcox

Kerri Warren

Bianca Guarasci

Kyle Krahn

SCOUTING

Mike Payne

Blake Lowe

Brandon Hagadorn

LEADERSHIP SEMINAR

Sam Sferrazza

Patricia Moore

SCHOLARSHIP

Vanessa Rizzuto

Kyle Hingley

PUBLIC SPEAKING

Jennifer Hogg

Joe Salter