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
February and March Programs
Mar 4 Great Theatre- Denny Smith
Mar 11 Livcom Awards in Rome Mayor Dave Kleis
Mar 18 TLC Toys - Jim Barthel
Mar 25 Charitable Gambling Report
Apr 1 Big Brothers, Big Sisters
Apr 8 Crescent Cove
Apr 15 Epilepsy Foundation
Apr 22 ADAM
Apr 29 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.
February 19th Speaker
Kim Magnuson spoke to the Morning Optimist Club about a organization entitled Owen's Night Out. This organization believes that the best in each of us lies in enriching the lives of those around us who are hurting, especially those couples that have lost a child.
Their mission and belief is that by encouraging and providing an evening out to reconnect with one another can help rebuild, refocus and refresh their relationship as a couple as well as benefiting the collective family unit.
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.
