St. Cloud Morning Optimist Club
Meets Weekly:
Every Wednesday at 7:15 A.M. at Capital 360
Capital 360 Community Room
30 7th Ave South St. Cloud MN 5630
7:00 Purchase Breakfast at Cafe
7:15 Prayer and Pledge of Allegiance
7:16 Short Business Meeting
7:30 Program
7:59 Recite Creed
8:00 Adjourn
Optimist Weekly Programs
January Programs
Jan 1 No Meeting
Jan 8 Charitable Gambling Report
Jan 15 MLK Program / Laurie Putnam
Jan 22 Unite Cloud / Natalie Ringsmuth
Jan 29 Charitable Gambling Report
Feb 5 Girls,God and Good Times
Feb 12 Hearts in Action
Feb 19 Owen's Night Out
Feb 26 Charitable Gambling Report
October 1, 2019 is the beginning of our new Optimist Year. As our year moves forward, watch for our weekly programs, projects, awards, new members and Optimist International programs which we sponsor giving youth in our community scholarship opportunities.
We do have fun at some of our weekly meetings. On Dec 18th we made time for some Christmas games. Reindeer Bingo was a hit. We had enough prizes for most to win two. In the end you may have been forced to trade in your best prize. As an Optimist we know that's life!
Merry Christmas to all the members that missed the meeting and Season Greeting to all in the St Cloud Community
December Speakers
Greta Stark-Krater and Caryl Turrow from the Central Community Foundation explained how the foundation operates. There are several ways one can give funds to the foundation and eliminate taxes on their annual income. They visit many organizations, businesses and non profits to learn about the needs in our community. They now provide four grants up to $30,000 each year to programs most in need .
Members signed up to Bell Ring for the Salvation Army on Dec 7th
Thank you to Tom and Dottie Seamans and their granddaughter, Jack Prom, Kathy and John Kampa, Don Berger, Jim Gasperlin, JIm and Ginny Bisek,
sisters Roxann and Jennifer Storms for volunteering
Youth Appreciation
During the month of November, the St. Cloud Optimists seek nominations for outstanding youth from various local youth service organizations. On November 27nd, during Youth Appreciation week, the Optimist Clubs recognized 8 area youth who were nominated for their efforts in community service work. This is perfect opportunity for clubs to make a difference in their community and demonstrate the Optimists' commitment to young people. These nominees are invited to a Youth Appreciation Breakfast and given a plaque for their efforts. This year's breakfast was at the Boy Scout Offices
This years nominators and receiptants are Big Brothers, Big Sisters/Justin Barber, East Side Boys and Girls Club/Maya Shimabukure-King, Girl Scouts/Katlin Bennet, Tech High School/Elizbeth Hennen, Boys Scouts/Adam Burton, Apollo High School/ Derick Stanoch, and Boys and Girls Club/ Gianna Johnson. Not present was the St Cloud Hospital nominatee Dan Yuan
Dan Yuan visited our Club on December 11 to receive his plaque and check. He was nominated by the St Cloud Hospital.
Our November Programming
At our Nov 6 meeting Greg Palm gave us an update on the possibilities of a children's museum in St Cloud In 2020.
In January of 2014 Charles Hempeck began his work as executive director of Anna Marie’s Alliance, whose primary program is an emergency shelter for battered women and their children. The St Cloud Morning Optimist presented Charles with a $5500 check for Anna Marie's House n Nov 6. it will be used to continue the great work they do with children of victims of domestic violence .
Shawn Warneke, Commander of the St Cloud Civil Air Patrol visited our club to tell us what the Civil Air Patrol does in our area and how they are called in to help the military when someone is loss, search for a missing plane or help with disasters.
On September 26 the St Cloud Morning Club
had our installation banquet to kick off our new year.
DMM Governor, Dave Martin, installed our new leaders Makayla Wijeratne as President and new board member Don Berger.
Past president Renee Dingmann hands her gavel to Makayla. The St Cloud Club also celebrated 45 years of Optimism in our community.
Fred Schufelt was recognized as our only charter member. Congratulations for your 45 yrs of service to our club. Fred was awarded Optimist of the Year and received a Citation from OI President Rebecca Mona
President Renee honored five other members who have been Optimists for 40+ years. They are Don Berger, Dale Okland, Dan Warneke, Fred Schufelt and Jim Bisek.
