August 15-Tom Rhoads, American Legion Baseball
Anastasia Cook, Japan Tour Highlights
Respect for Law
Rick Pundmann, we miss you already.
It is with great sadness that we report that Rick Pundmann died on January 1. Rick has been a St Charles Optimist since 1982 and exemplifies what it means to be an Optimist. He was a very active member, who participated in our community fundraising activities, including regular events sponsored by Pundmann Ford. Rick's optimism, effervescent personality, quick wit, generosity, and compassion will be greatly missed. We extend our deepest condolences to his wife Marge, and the entire Pundmann family.
Youth in Government
Dear fellow Optimist,
This last week I had the opportunity to volunteer at our Club’s annual fishing derby. The fishing derby was started 23 years ago to provide a day of fishing for people in our community with developmental disabilities. This year’s event helped 55 young and young-at-heart people in our community enjoy a day of fishing with assistance from local Optimists.
I had the pleasure of helping Alex, a 22-year-old, hone his fishing skills as he caught fish after fish. Alex did not say much the first hour, but after catching several fish you could barely keep him from talking about his fish. After each catch, Alex would ask if he could hold the fish and then he would give it a gentle hug and set it back in the water. He then announced to the world, “I caught number four…that was my fourth fish.” If he hooked a bigger-than-average fish, Alex would take the fish on a tour of the dock to show his fellow anglers his big catch. By the end of the morning Alex had landed 16 fish.
The local Club provided baited poles, angling lessons, expert advice and a hot dog lunch. It’s hard not to smile during the awards ceremony when you see the trophies being issued for catching the most fish, biggest fish, best attitude and, of course, least fish and smallest fish. Everyone went home with a medallion around their neck, a full tummy and memories of the “big one” that got away. Club members emptied trash cans, cleaned up and put away poles and packed up the grilling trailer. Each of us went away with something more amazing than a trophy or medallion. Remembering Alex’s face as he reeled in a fish will make me grin for some time.
Optimists put on events “for the kids” but I must say that my experiences leave me with more from those like Alex than I feel I give. Thanks to all of you who bait hooks and empty trash cans. The experiences you provide as Optimists to those in your community will make memories for a lifetime.
Happy Father’s Day to all of you and I hope you have a wonderful week.
Yours in Optimism,
Steve Skodak, CFRE
Executive Director - Optimist International Foundation
This last week I had the opportunity to volunteer at our Club’s annual fishing derby. The fishing derby was started 23 years ago to provide a day of fishing for people in our community with developmental disabilities. This year’s event helped 55 young and young-at-heart people in our community enjoy a day of fishing with assistance from local Optimists.
I had the pleasure of helping Alex, a 22-year-old, hone his fishing skills as he caught fish after fish. Alex did not say much the first hour, but after catching several fish you could barely keep him from talking about his fish. After each catch, Alex would ask if he could hold the fish and then he would give it a gentle hug and set it back in the water. He then announced to the world, “I caught number four…that was my fourth fish.” If he hooked a bigger-than-average fish, Alex would take the fish on a tour of the dock to show his fellow anglers his big catch. By the end of the morning Alex had landed 16 fish.
The local Club provided baited poles, angling lessons, expert advice and a hot dog lunch. It’s hard not to smile during the awards ceremony when you see the trophies being issued for catching the most fish, biggest fish, best attitude and, of course, least fish and smallest fish. Everyone went home with a medallion around their neck, a full tummy and memories of the “big one” that got away. Club members emptied trash cans, cleaned up and put away poles and packed up the grilling trailer. Each of us went away with something more amazing than a trophy or medallion. Remembering Alex’s face as he reeled in a fish will make me grin for some time.
Optimists put on events “for the kids” but I must say that my experiences leave me with more from those like Alex than I feel I give. Thanks to all of you who bait hooks and empty trash cans. The experiences you provide as Optimists to those in your community will make memories for a lifetime.
Happy Father’s Day to all of you and I hope you have a wonderful week.
Yours in Optimism,
Steve Skodak, CFRE
Executive Director - Optimist International Foundation
http://interact.stltoday.com/pr/non-profits/PR060413013013190
From the St. Louis Post Dispatch...
OPTIMISTS TEACH SPECIAL FRIENDS TO FISH
BY Optimist Steve | Posted: Tuesday, June 04, 2013 01:30 PM
St. Charles, MO - The Optimist Club of St. Charles, in collaboration with Community Living, Inc. of St. Peters, will host a fishing derby at August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area, lake 15, on Saturday, June 8, 2013 from 9:00 AM to 1: 00 PM. Local Optimists will provide a day of fishing for those in our community with disabilities served by Community Living. Participants will be provided fishing gear, expert advice and lunch by the Optimist Club of St. Charles.
Mark Cook has been involved with the program for the last four years and currently serves as the Derby Chairman. “We are thrilled to be able to provide such an amazing outing for these very special members of our community. As Optimists we seek to Bring Out the Best in Kids, and these kids and young adults return the favor by giving us their best.” Mark expects 55 young people at this year’s event and has plenty of fellow Optimists ready to help reel in the big ones.
The Fishing Derby was started in 1989 by the St. Charles Police Department and then taken over by the Optimist Club of St. Charles in 1991. During the history of this program, hundreds of children and young adults have participated in a day of fishing with the Optimists.
The Optimist Club of St. Charles, established in 1971, is part of Optimist International, one of the world’s largest service club organizations, with 93,000 adult and youth members in 3,200 clubs in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico and throughout the world. Carrying the motto “Bringing Out the Best in Kids,” Optimists conduct positive service projects that reach more than six million young people each year. To learn more about Optimist International please call (314) 371-6000 or visit the organization’s website at www.optimist.org, or the St. Charles club site www.scoptimists.weebly.com.
Community Living, Inc. is enriching the lives of people with disabilities. This mission has guided Community Living to be a premier provider of programs and services for people with disabilities in St. Charles County. After merging with Family Support Services, Community Living’s mission and programs now reach over 800 individuals and their families. From children to seniors, Community Living provides people with disabilities the opportunity to learn, live, work, and play in the community, which makes the community inclusive, diverse and a better place to live. For more information about Community Living, Inc., call (636) 970-2800or visit online at www.cliservices.org.
Posted on Tuesday, June 04, 2013 01:30 PM | Tags: Non-Profits , Youth Activities
From the St. Louis Post Dispatch...
OPTIMISTS TEACH SPECIAL FRIENDS TO FISH
BY Optimist Steve | Posted: Tuesday, June 04, 2013 01:30 PM
St. Charles, MO - The Optimist Club of St. Charles, in collaboration with Community Living, Inc. of St. Peters, will host a fishing derby at August A. Busch Memorial Conservation Area, lake 15, on Saturday, June 8, 2013 from 9:00 AM to 1: 00 PM. Local Optimists will provide a day of fishing for those in our community with disabilities served by Community Living. Participants will be provided fishing gear, expert advice and lunch by the Optimist Club of St. Charles.
Mark Cook has been involved with the program for the last four years and currently serves as the Derby Chairman. “We are thrilled to be able to provide such an amazing outing for these very special members of our community. As Optimists we seek to Bring Out the Best in Kids, and these kids and young adults return the favor by giving us their best.” Mark expects 55 young people at this year’s event and has plenty of fellow Optimists ready to help reel in the big ones.
The Fishing Derby was started in 1989 by the St. Charles Police Department and then taken over by the Optimist Club of St. Charles in 1991. During the history of this program, hundreds of children and young adults have participated in a day of fishing with the Optimists.
The Optimist Club of St. Charles, established in 1971, is part of Optimist International, one of the world’s largest service club organizations, with 93,000 adult and youth members in 3,200 clubs in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico and throughout the world. Carrying the motto “Bringing Out the Best in Kids,” Optimists conduct positive service projects that reach more than six million young people each year. To learn more about Optimist International please call (314) 371-6000 or visit the organization’s website at www.optimist.org, or the St. Charles club site www.scoptimists.weebly.com.
Community Living, Inc. is enriching the lives of people with disabilities. This mission has guided Community Living to be a premier provider of programs and services for people with disabilities in St. Charles County. After merging with Family Support Services, Community Living’s mission and programs now reach over 800 individuals and their families. From children to seniors, Community Living provides people with disabilities the opportunity to learn, live, work, and play in the community, which makes the community inclusive, diverse and a better place to live. For more information about Community Living, Inc., call (636) 970-2800or visit online at www.cliservices.org.
Posted on Tuesday, June 04, 2013 01:30 PM | Tags: Non-Profits , Youth Activities
