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62 Years of optimism

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May of 1962 saw 25 men gather at Belle’s Cafe to start an Optimist Club; of the 25 men present, a young Mac Case was among the 25 and is still an active member to this day. Although for 61 years, the Optimist Club may have changed in terms of members and concepts. One core concept has remained: to challenge its members to encompass the optimist club creed and use their optimism to make a difference for the youth of Webster County.

The creed in mind goes as follows:

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 on the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others ad you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times, and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large to worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble.

In order to help the youth, the Optimist Club has held many fundraisers. Their first fundraisers included selling watermelons and Christmas trees. Throughout the years, the club would hold other fundraisers, which included mini tractor pulls, 5K run, lawn mower tractor pulls, fireworks, and many more. Today the optimist club still holds fundraisers through golf tournaments, fireworks, and selling pecans.

Optimists club members have supported hundreds of groups through the years. Including school trips, sports equipment, boy scouts, foster kids, Christmas toys, SOS closet, boys/girls state, scholarships, and individual needs as presented. In eight years they have donated $123,113 to these groups.

Not only does the optimist club make donations, but it also challenges the youth of Webster County. They do so by holding various contests, which include essays, bicycle safety, and junior golf tournaments. These activities encourage the youth to turn inwards and use their gifts for the betterment of their community.

As the club begins its sixty-second year of service to the community, please consider supporting this organization and its work that is done quietly and consistently. You can help them by purchasing ads

in the media guides distributed at Marshfield home games or by purchasing fireworks and pecans.

Suppose you want to take your support one step further. Consider joining the Optimist club. In that case, they meet every Monday at 6:30 a.m. at Grillo’s located at 1321 Spur Dr, Marshfield, MO. They will have breakfast, speakers, and conduct business with a lot of laughter to start your week with a smile. So what are you waiting for? – join the Optimist Club this year and help them by giving back to our most crucial community investment, the children and youth.

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