Le Mars Optimist Club celebrates 25 years of service

Celebrating twenty-five years of service in a community is truly an honor.  The community of Le Mars, Iowa is helping the Optimist Club celebrate their 25th anniversary by recognizing 25 years of impacting children in a positive way.

Please take a look at this wonderful article in the Le Mars Daily Sentinel.  According to Jerry Haack, charter president of the club, it all started in 1985 with a bicycle safety day, Youth Appreciation Week, essay contests, Respect for Law Week and sports contests.  The club added the Just Say No program in 1987 and has continued drug abuse awareness every year since then.

Throughout the years the club has sponsored skating, bowling, and recreation nights at the YMCA.  The events are always free and years later participants remember how much fun they had with the Optimist Club.

The Le Mars Optimist Club has also helped fund large projects in the community like the swimming pool and little league sports complex, but the members always enjoy the projects that let them work directly with the children and make them smile.

When the club was started 25 years ago, there were other service clubs in town.  However, the 39 members wanted to do something special for children.  I think they have accomplished their mission.  Thank you to the Le Mars Optimist Club for your service and best wishes for 26 more years.

Download the article for the Le Mars Sentinel in PDF. 
Photo club members planning for the Just Say No program in 1987 courtesy of the Le Mars Optimist Club.