The Freehold Sunrise Optimists have released its upcoming calendar for the first quarter of 2018, with four big fundraising events set to be held throughout the area.

The community service organization dedicated to serving, aiding and encouraging community youth will kick off 2018 with its 6th Annual Stock Market Challenge on January 18th.

The five-week-long stock market picking contest will be held at CentraState Medical Center from 5 to 7 p.m. During the free educational program, young adults in 5th through 8th grade, can gather knowledge on how the stock market works and learn how to invest.

The following day, January 19th, the organization will host its Comedy Night with renowned New York City comic Liz Barrett. The comedy night will take place at the Freehold Township Senior Center (116 Jackson Mills Rd.) at 8 p.m. with doors opening at 7. There will be appetizers and BYOB, as well as a 50/50 raffle. Tickets are $25 in advance or $30 at the door.

On January 28, the Freehold Sunrise Optimists will then hold its annual Kylie Pinheiro Memorial Hot Shot Basketball Tournament from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the YMCA of Western Monmouth County (470 East Freehold Rd.). Registration is $5. The top three place winners in each group go home with a trophy, and all participants in the tournament get a free t-shirt. The event is open to girls and boys from grades 4 to 9.

Last but not least, on February 4, the Optimists will hold its popular Super Bowl event, Souper Bowl Sunday, from 1 to 4 p.m. The annual event celebrates our countrys most beloved sports event, while bringing homemade chilis and soups together to raise money for youth activities in the community. Souper Bowl Sunday will take place at the Freehold YMCA and quarts of chili and soup will be sold one for $6 per quart or four for $20.

The Optimist Club motto is Bringing Out the Best In Kids, Our Community and Ourselves. says Shari Scaramuzzo, Club President. Our fundraising events help us raise the money needed to provide hands-on community events that help us achieve this goal. We couldnt do any of this without the support of the communities that we serve.

For more information on the Sunrise Optimist Club of Freehold, visit www.freeholdsunriseoptimists.com.