Meeting Time
Wednesday's 6:45AM-7:30AM
Exit 45 Restaurant

Annual dues are $95

Contact Information
President: Dennis Spader
dennis @ dennisspader dot com
Facebook
International Website
Menomonie Website

Letter By Community Member
"Hello,
My name is **** ********. I am emailing in regards to a very personal matter. This is an open letter that I hope will reach the students and their families of your schools "Optimist Club". On Monday, December 18th, 2017 my ten-year-old son was admitted to the Sacred Heart emergency room due to injury to his head that he sustained during a fall. During our time at the emergency room a CT scan was completed. The CT showed that my son had sustained a fracture to his skull, a concussion, and a possible hemorrhage under his skull. It was determined that he would need to be transferred by ambulance to Marshfield Hospital to see a pediatric neurosurgeon. This would be his very first ambulance ride. The Chippewa Falls Fire Department EMT members were wonderful. I would be riding along with him and his father would follow soon behind. But, he was still scared. One of the nurses asked if he would like a blanket. He had been complaining of being cold and his nervousness gave him shakes. The nurse came back with a beautiful bright red blanket that was soft and cozy. His favorite color too! It had a tiny tag that said "From Menomonie High School Optimist Club". This helped him relax and we were on our way for transfer. A few hours later we arrived to Marshfield Hospital. He was rushed into a room with eight waiting nurses and doctors. I stood outside the glass doors of his room. A nurse came out and handed me his blanket. As I stood waiting for my husband and loved ones to arrive, watching my soon be hooked up to machines and tests being administered, I buried my face and tears into the blanket during times I couldn't bring myself to watch. I hugged the blanket as they rolled him off for his second CT scan. It was around 2:30 AM when he was admitted to his room and I tucked him back in with the blanket. He would be up for vitals and checks every two hours. Be he slept well when he was able. The neurosurgeon came in at 7:00 AM. They had found a second fracture but no sign of a hemorage. His fractures did not show signs of bleeding or displacement. They would heal over the coming year. His concussion is still of concern but he would be able to go home later that day if it showed any signs of improvement. At 6:30 PM on Tuesday, December 19th we were finally back home. By 8:30 PM it was time for bed and he wanted to sleep next to me. He fell asleep quickly and I laid awake with tears in my eyes and a million thoughts racing through my head. One of those thoughts was just how much the blanket your students had taken the time to make had made such a difference. I laid next to my son twirling the ties of the blanket until my mind was able to relax and sleep. I send this email with the biggest heartfelt thank you and the reassurance that their small acts do not go unnoticed or unappreciated. They made a difference. 
Wishing you all a happy holiday season,
*** & *** ********."

Our Positive Outlook
Our upbeat outlook, and our commitment to creating a more optimistic future for kids is what differentiates Optimist Clubs from any other volunteer opportunity.
Communities in the United States, Canada, the nations of the Caribbean and other countries throughout the world have been touched by the powerful, positive force of Optimist Club Members.
From sponsoring youth athletic leagues, to weatherizing the homes of the elderly, to conducting oratorical contests for young people-Optimist Clubs are responding to the special needs of our local communities.
Although we come from all walks of life, Optimist Club Members share one common trait. We know that w can make a difference in the lives of others.

Mission Statement
By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in kids

Creed "Promise Yourself"
To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.
To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.
To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.
To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true. 
To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.
To forget the mistakes of the past and press on the grater achievements of the future.
To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet with a smile.
To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no no time to criticize others.
To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

What Should I Expect? 
Every Optimist Club was formed by people who wanted to reach out to help youth and the community; people like you and me. Members of an Optimist Club usually live in or work in the community. Members have joined together to serve others and to promote Optimism as a way of life.
Each Optimist Club is chartered as a Member of Optimist International. This gives the Club the right to use the Optimist name and provides each Club with services and programs offered by Optimist International.
Each Optimist Club operates autonomously. This means they operate independently of each other. They choose their own activities, elect their own officers and raise their own funds. A Club's service activities are based on the needs of the community. What a Club can do is limited only by the imagination and resources of the Members.
Optimist Clubs do share certain similarities. This offers you, the Member, the assurance of knowing wherever you are, should you wish to attend an Optimist Club's meeting, certain components will be the same. The programs and guest speakers offer the Members an opportunity to learn, grow and improve themselves. The program features the youth in the community, as in the Essay and Oratorical Contests or in the Youth Appreciation activities. Club meetings help to reinforce commitment and allow us to take pride in our accomplishments.

Optimist Club Members Receive as Much as They Give

  • The fellowship of proactive people with optimistic mindsets
  • New social and working relationships with individuals from a cross section of our communities
  • The opportunity to develop and demonstrate leadership skills locally, regionally, nationally and internationally
  • The satisfaction of making a difference in our communities

Whether you are searching for an outlet to help your community, personal development, or rewarding camaraderie, you'll find what you're looking for in your local Optimist Club. Joiners become more tolerant and empathetic to the needs of their community. 

Optimist Programs and Community Projects

​Hoffman Hills - Oak Savanna
Tree planting, prairie restoration, general maintenance in cooperation with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, Friends of the Red Cedar, and others.

Cookies with Santa

Breakfast with the Easter Bunny

Youth of the Month 
Two students each month are honored by the Optimists in September - May.

Annual $500 Scholarship Award
Award to seniors of each school district in Dunn Country = total of 4 awards per year. 

Optimist Scholarship Contests
Essay - This contest gives young people the opportunity to express their views and opinions regarding the world in which they live. Optimist International awards each District contest winner a scholarship to be used for higher education.
Oratorical - As Optimist International's oldest program, this contest invites young people to gain experience in public speaking. District winners receive scholarships for advanced education, funded by the Optimist International Foundation.

Dictionary Project
Optimist club provides every third grader in Dunn County with a free dictionary. 

Little Free Libraries

Optimist Junior Golf
As one of the junior golf's most prestigious events, the Optimist International Junior Gold Championships provide an unique opportunity for junior golfers from around the globe. Every year, thousands of golfers ages 10-18 compete in local Optimist qualifying tournaments with top finishers advancing to The Optimist.

Junior Optimist International
Young people have the opportunity to learn the importance of volunteerism, teamwork, communication, self-esteem and citizenship through the Junior Optimist International program. As a result, youth report feeling an improved sense of kindness and an increased awareness for those in need. Sponsored at the Menomonie elementary and high school.

Past Projects

 

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