West Flint Optimist Club -November 21, 2024 Newsletter
Cherese Bransford, Westwood Heights School Board Member
came as guest of Member and Asst. Gov. Bill Reaves, sharing with us her involvement with area youth through Protective Services and School/Parent Liaison positions and recently elected (almost by accident) to the school board. This mother of 4 and grandmother of 1 told us of her own personal experiences and how they allow her to comprehend and seek to rectify difficulties that the students and their families face. This is what prompted her to attend a Community Networking event, where Bill met her, talked up the Club, and invited her to have breakfast with us.
Bill told the the 19 attendees this morning about the OI Michigan District’s First Quarter Conference, celebrating the 46 Clubs in attendance and our Honor Club performance and reputation in the District.
REMEMBER: Our NEXT CLUB BREAKFAST ON WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 4, is BREAKFAST WITH SANTA and MSD kids/families/staff!!
On December 6, at least 4 Club members (Mic Goulet, Ken Cullen, Cindy Sullivan, and Greg Hilliker) will be ringing bells again for the Annual Salvation Army Kettle Drive at ELGA Credit Union on Pierson Road. Please let Mic (or Joy at the Salvation Army) know if you are interested/willing.
Jeff Gauger reminded us that Sleep in Heavenly Peace is scheduling an “Assembly Day” on December 7 (Link Here) to further reduce the number of beds left (24) from the most recent Build Day. Jeff will be standing on the corner with Old Newsboys that weekend, too! By the way, SHP has an interesting fundraiser posted on their Facebook page and here is the link.
Jeff Dennings showed us the new Tent/Banner/Logo package purchased for the Club’s public exposure at such events as Candlewalk, HarvestFest, and SummerFest. Several welcome private donations (primarily from newer members, with a couple long-timers pitching in) have paid for most of the expense, but there still remains a balance of approximately $195 , just in case you would like to help out with this. If you want to get an up-close look at the tent, you can volunteer to pass out hot cocoa and candy canes to the kiddos at Flushing Candlewalk on December 5 & 6, from 6-9 p.m.. Jeff D. also reminded the Club of today’s “informal gathering” at 3:30 p.m. at Scooter’s. (Late update just in – 13 people showed up to enjoy food, drink, and or conversation at this turnout!)
The morning fines flew frivolously – against those who had no venison, against those who did not shake hands with fellow members, and against TailTwister Jack Medemar (by Steve Schlott) for Jeff D.’s sycophancy, for examples.
Cindy had a chance for the $1483 “50/50 Progressive Pot” but her 5 of Clubs card means the potential winnings continue to grow!
Until next time, “Promise Yourself…”
2024 Breakfast with Santa for Michigan School for the Deaf Students
The holiday season is just around the corner, and the West Flint Optimist Club is excited to bring back one of our most heartwarming traditions! On Wednesday, December 4th, we’re hosting our annual Breakfast with Santa Claus event for the students of the Michigan School for the Deaf. This cherished event will take place at Liberty Family Dining on Pierson Road at 8:30 am and is open to everyone who would like to join in the festive spirit.
For the students and their dedicated teachers, the morning will start with a delicious breakfast of pancakes and ham, all provided by the West Flint Optimist Club. But the real highlight of the day is, of course, Santa Claus himself! Santa will be there to greet each student, especially focusing on children from 3rd grade and below, who will have the chance to sit on his lap, share their holiday wishes, and receive a special gift.
This annual event is one of the many ways the West Flint Optimist Club supports our community and spreads holiday cheer to young people. We believe in giving back and creating magical moments that bring smiles to the faces of everyone involved.
We invite everyone to come out, show their support, and enjoy the festivities with us. It’s a perfect opportunity to witness the joy of the season, connect with our club members, and celebrate the community spirit that makes Flint so special. Mark your calendars, and join us in creating memories that will last a lifetime!
Event Details:
• Date: Wednesday, December 4th
• Time: 8:30 am
• Location: Liberty Family Dining, Pierson Rd
• Who’s Invited: Students from the Michigan School for the Deaf, their teachers, and anyone who wants to celebrate with us!
Let’s make this holiday season brighter for our community’s young ones. We can’t wait to see you there!
Newsletters
Newsletter – November 14, 2024
Salvation Army Speakers Randy Hellstrom and Joy (Martinbianco) Peterman (flanking Jeff Dennings in above photo) shared plans for December 6th "Bell-Ringing" and invited us all to take part in this annual fundraiser for Salvation Army programs, long supported by our...
Newsletter – November 7, 2024
Welcome to our November meeting recap, where we reflect on a gathering filled with camaraderie, community service updates, and heartfelt remembrances. Though our group was slightly smaller than usual, the energy and passion for our shared mission was as strong as...
Newsletter – October 31, 2024
Ann Marie Van Duyne, VP of External Relations for FIM 22 came to this morning’s Club breakfast to hear her speak about “FIM” - the overarching term that now is used to capture the aggregation of Flint’s Cultural Center performance venues - Flint Institute of Music...
Community Events
Join Us at Flushing SummerFest 2024
The West Flint Optimist Club is excited to announce our participation in the Flushing SummerFest by hosting a Beer Tent to raise funds for local children’s charities. The Beer Tent will be open from Thursday, June 20 through Saturday, June 22, offering an incredible...
West Flint Optimists and Flushing Rotary Join Forces for Sleep In Heavenly Peace
Every night, as children across the United States lay down to rest, some face a heart-wrenching reality – they don't have a bed to sleep in. It's a simple comfort that many of us take for granted, but for these children, it's a dream they have yet to realize. That's...
Volunteers wanted for “Build Day”!!
The most recent issue of "MY CITY" magazine mentions one of our favorite organizations on its cover: Sleep in Heavenly Peace (Flushing Chapter) has been a beneficiary of our West Flint Optimist Club's financial support and several work teams that have cut, sawn,...