Welcome to the St Cloud Morning Optimists Club

Here is what  the Morning Optimists are doing in our Community

Recognizing Jackie Robinson Day

On April 15, 1947 Jackie Robinson broke Baseball's color barrier when he made his historic MLB debut. Jackie was the first African American to play Major League Baseball in the US in the 2oth Century. Every year on April 15, baseball honors Jackie's legacy by celebrating his life, values  and accomplishments. Jackie wore # 42.  The St Cloud Morning Optimist Club provided T shirts with the number 42 printed on the back or the shirts, so children in our community could tell others why Jackie is so important.

Oratorical Contest

St Cloud Morning Optimist Club held their Oratorical Contest on March 24, 2022 at the Boy Scout Office 

We had two contestants.  They were Lilly Seamans age 16, from Sauk Rapids HS and Karl Lexvold age 16, home schooled in Kimball MN.  Both students can participate at our district contest on April 29 in Watertown SD.  The winner of the district contest will receive a $2500 scholarship from Optimist International. Congratulations to both contestants.  We wish you well.

Visual Arts Competition

OI International is challenging Optimist communities to give youth under age 11 a chance to visualize Optimism in either a  drawing  or painting. Clubs will judge the painting and drawings and can award first, second and third places to the winners.  First place winners in each category will have their work sent to OI before May 1st.  On May 15th, Optimist members can go to the OI website and vote for the best in painting and drawing.  1st place with receive $250, 2nd place $150 and 3rd place $100. We had four  youth organizations that participated. See their works of art

       Sabrina               Grace              Isabella                                         Kayla           Harper           Kiare

Paintings and Drawings from Boys and Girls Club

     Rose               Doriyon              Lashey

Paintings From D-Blake Center Youth

              Seren                                    Georgia                                                                                                BT

Paintings and Drawings from Higher Ground Colaborative

          Sincele                        Ameena                                                    Kayliana                          Tariik

Paintings and Drawings From Promise Neigborshood

The St Cloud Morning Optimist hosted the 1st Qtr DMM Meeting Nov 5-6

Seventy-one members for North and South Dakota and Minnesota attended the meeting. Manitoba members had an opportunity to attend the meeting virtually.  Friday night's entertainment "Broadway, Vaudeville and a Little Nonsense" was enjoyed by all. 

Saturday was all work with Opening ceremonies,  speeches from Governor Steve Severance and OI Foundation President Marc Katz

The Roseville Youth Leadership Program was introduced to the attendees.  The noon sessions were "Engaging Our Members and our Club in Our Own World  and that of the Optimist International Programs

The St Cloud Morning Club  with a grant from OI introduced a Health and Wellness Clinic concentrating on good dental health for elementary children in our community during the month of January

The St Cloud Morning Club received 2000 wooden toys from TLC Toys to distribute to needy children in our area.  Retired seniors make these toys all year long and give them away during the holidays.  Don presented Jim Barthel with $1,000  to show our gratitude for the wonderful things TLC does.  

Thank you to the St. Cloud Morning Optimist Club for donating $15,316.90 to District 742 for the Optimist Park expenses! Funds will be used for picnic tables, benches, trash cans, and more! After the park is upgraded, come to see the improvements we have made. This park is a city park, school park, and Boys and Girls Club playground.