The Optimist Club of Arlington hosted its annual Coaches Night Out under the outdoor pavilion at the Knights of Columbus on Aug. 28 for the second straight summer.
The dinner event was for coaches and administrators of the youth sports leagues in Arlington that are financially sponsored by the Optimist Club. The groups dined and shared information about their organizations.
“This event helps us understand what we can do for the community and the impact the club makes,” said administrator Brian Kellenberger, who was in charge of the gathering. “We have decided it works well to hold it here and outside.”
The event was held previously indoors for many years.
The Optimists support Arlington Babe Ruth Baseball, Arlington Girls Softball Association, Arlington high-school crew teams, Arlington Soccer Association, Arlington Youth Hockey, the Optimist-Acorns Junior Rifle Club and YULA (Youth Ultimate League of Arlington). Representative of most of those leagues were present to briefly discuss the status of their organizations and to thank the club for its financial backing.
Arlington Girls Softball Association president Steve Severn noted how much his league depends on and appropriates donations from the Optimist Club.
Current Optimist Club president Debbie Whitenton said 80 coaches sent RSVPs about attending the event, an increase over last season.
“We are able to help some of the leagues and teams, that’s the biggest thing,” Whitenton said.
When the dinner and discussion periods ended, raffle winners of various gift certificates received their prizes.
Until last summer, the Coaches Night Out event was last held in 2019. Three years were skipped because of the pandemic.
Whitenton said anyone interested in joining the Optimist Club of Arlington can do so be visiting the web site at: optimistclubofarlingtonva.org.
