Our History

In 1999-2000, Forsyth was selected as a site for a new evening Optimist Club.

It was to be a supper club, to complement the morning and luncheon

Optimist Clubs that already existed there.

Recruiting began in February of 2000, and informational meetings began to be held

around the end of March. Keith and Cheryl Pruitt were the primary builders for this

club. Keith was serving as Lieutenant Governor for the Georgia District Optimist

International during the 1999-2000 year. He and Cheryl has been members of the

North Cherokee Optimist Club since 1997.

Reaching the required number of members, the Sawnee-Cumming Optimist Club was

officially organized in July of 2000, with Dan Peterson being elected Charter President,

and J. David Cantrell selected to be Charter Secretary-Treasurer. The club

achieved "Honor Club" status its charter year. After serving for over two years as

President and leading the club to two "Honor Club" Awards, and a Georgia "Number

One Club" Award, Dan Peterson was elected Lieutenant Governor for Zone 4 of the

Georgia District.

Cheryl Pruitt was elected Club President for 2002-2003, leading the club to its first "Honor and Distinguished Club" Award. That year,

the club sponsored the North Fulton Optimist Club, a "Special Purpose" Optimist Club focusing on special needs children.In 2004-2005,

our Club President Scudder Edwards was tragically killed in an auto accident, and the Board of Directors appointed Keith Pruitt, a member

since 2002, to fill the position for the remaining of the year. In memory of Scudder, the club achieved some of its most outstanding

accomplishments, including sponsoring the Johns Creek Optimist Club in South Forsyth County. The club received recognition as an "Honor

and Distinguished Club," and was again awarded Georgia's "Number One Club," based on its activities, community service, and growth.

The club plans to grow and prosper, continuing its tradition of service to the young people of Forsyth County, and surrounding areas.