Upcoming Events
Our major 2024 events include the annual Cadillac FUNdraiser on May 9; the Youth Appreciation Scholarship Dinner on November 7th and the Centennial Gala on December 5th. Each of these events are open to both members and the public.
Cadillac FUNdraiser
We invite you to attend our annual Cadillac FUNdraiser on May 9th at the Lost Spur Golf Club as we celebrate the Club’s 100th anniversary year! This is our major fundraising event of the year with proceeds from the ticket sales, a fabulous silent auction, a bountiful wall of wine, spirited heads and tails game, a photo booth and more all going to fund the Club’s youth activities. Those youth activities take place throughout the year, including Youth Appreciation (scholarships from the Foundation and a dinner celebration with families); Community Dinners at Jeremiah Program’s St. Paul Campus, Oratorical and Essay Scholarship Contests, Face to Face/Safe Zone (at risk teenagers) and other youth activities. All money raised goes toward BRINGING OUT THE BEST IN YOUTH, COMMUNITY AND OURSELVES! Heavy hors d’oeuvres will be stationed throughout the room. Cocktails, wine, beer and soft drinks will be available. Early bird tickets are $95 per person. Tickets are $110 per person after April 15th. Make checks payable to The Optimist Club of St. Paul and send it to:
Optimist Club of St. Paul – Cadillac Event
P.O. Box 40065
St. Paul, MN 55104-8065
Questions? Contact Terry Gorman at optimist.stpaul@gmail.com.
The Photo Booth at the Cadillac FUNdraiser is always popular. Pictured here are Faith Clover and Sheri Tamte.
Dinner meetings include the Installation Dinner, Youth Appreciation Dinner and New Optimist Dinner.
Other Events
The Youth Appreciation Dinner will be held on November 7th at the Town & Country Club. Fifteen students will receive a $3,000 scholarship that evening and answer a question about themselves. Contact optimist.stpaul@gmail.com for more information.
Our Centennial Gala will be held on December 5th at Town & Country. The Optimist Club of St. Pau; was chartered on December 5, 1924, between two world wars. Our mission then and now is to bring out the best in our youth, our communities and ourselves. We invite you to support the Club by attending the gala and by sponsoring our centennial to help us recognize that milestone and help us continue to create a lasting impact. Please contact optimist.stpaul@gmail.com to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.
In addition, we meet the first and third Thursdays of the month at Joseph’s Grill and host a happy hour the second week of the month at various locations. For more information, see the calendar below.
St. Paul Optimist Member Club 2024 Event Calendar
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January 4, 2024 — Lunch Meeting at 11:45 a.m. at Joseph’s Grill
January 10, 2024 — Jeremiah Community Dinner at 4:30 p.m.
January 11, 2024 — Happy Hour at 5:30 p.m. at Stouts Pub
January 18, 2024 — Lunch Meeting at 11:45 a.m. at Joseph’s Grill
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February 1, 2024 — LUNCH MEETING at 11:45 a.m. at Joseph’s Grill
February 1, 2024 — OPTIMIST DAY – Wear your pin or logo gear!
February 7, 2024 – BOARD ORIENTATION at 5:00 p.m. at the University Club
February 8, 2024 – HAPPY HOUR at 5:00 p.m. at the Gnome
February 13, 2024 — JEREMIAH COMMUNITY DINNER at 4:30 p.m.
February 15, 2024 — NOW - Optimist Information Dinner at 6 p.m. at Joseph’s Grill
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March 7, 2024 – LUNCH MEETING at 11:45 at Joseph’s Grill
March 12, 2024 — JEREMIAH COMMUNITY DINNER at 4:30 p.m.
March 14, 2024 – HAPPY HOUR at 5:00 p.m. at Tiffany’s Bar
March 21, 2024 – LUNCH MEETING at 11:45 a.m. at Joseph’s Grill
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April 4, 2024 – BREAKFAST MEETING at 7:45 a.m. at Joseph’s Grill
April 9, 2024 — JEREMIAH COMMUNITY DINNER at 4:30 p.m.
April 11, 2024 – HAPPY HOUR at 5:00 p.m. at Urban Growler
April 18, 2024 – BREAKFAST MEETING at 7:45 a.m. at Joseph’s Grill Item description
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May 2, 2024 – BREAKFAST MEETING at 7:45 a.m. at Joseph’s Grill
May 9, 2024 — CADILLAC FUNDRAISER at 6 p.m. at Lost Spur Event Center
May 14, 2024 — JEREMIAH COMMUNITY DINNER at 4:30 p.m.
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June 2, 2024 — GRAND OLD DAYS PARADE
June 6, 2024 — BREAKFAST MEETING at 7:45 a.m. at Joseph’s Grill
June 13, 2024 – HAPPY HOUR at 5:00 p.m. at St. Paul Brewing
June 20, 2024 – BREAKFAST MEETING at 7:45 a.m. at Joseph’s Grill
June 20-24, 2024 — OI CONVENTION at Niagara Falls, CanadaItem description
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July 11, 2024 – HAPPY HOUR at 5:00 p.m. at Moscow on the Hill
July 18, 2024 — BREAKFAST MEETING at 7:45 a.m. at Joseph’s Grill
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August 1, 2024 – BREAKFAST MEETING at 7:45 a.m. at Joseph’s Grill
August 8, 2024 – HAPPY HOUR at 5:00 p.m. at Patrick McGovern’s
August 15, 2024 – BREAKFAST MEETING at 7:45 a.m. at Joseph’s Grill
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September 5, 2024 — BREAKFAST MEETING at 7:45 a.m. at Joseph’s Grill
September 10, 2024 – HAPPY HOUR at 5:00 p.m. at Groveland Tap
September 10, 2024 – JEREMIAH COMMUNITY DINNER at 4:30 p.m.
INSTALLATION DINNER – TBD
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October 3, 2024 — BREAKFAST MEETING at 7:45 a.m. at Joseph’s Grill
October 8, 2024 — JEREMIAH COMMUNITY DINNER & Fall-O-Ween at 4:30 p.m.
October 10, 2024 – HAPPY HOUR at 5:00 p.m. at Pauly’s on Selby
October 17, 2024 – BREAKFAST MEETING at 7:45 a.m. at Joseph’s Grill
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November 7, 2024 – YOUTH APPRECIATION DINNER at 6:00 p.m. at Town & Country
November 12, 2024 – JEREMIAH COMMUNITY DINNER at 4:30 p.m.
November 14, 2024 – HAPPY HOUR at 5:00 p.m. at Red Rabbit on Grand
November 21, 2024 – BREAKFAST MEETING at 7:45 a.m. at Joseph’s Grill
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December 5, 2024 – CENTENNIAL GALA at 6 p.m. at Town & Country
December 10, 2024 – JEREMIAH COMMUNITY DINNER at 4:30 p.m.
December 20, 2024 – HOLIDAY GATHERING at 5:30 p.m. at TBD
Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Natalie Hudson (center) spoke at one of the Club's regular meetings.
The St. Paul Optimist's Club Friend of Youth Foundation has given out over $600,000 in scholarships to St. Paul students.
The St. Paul Optimist Club rings bells for the Salvation Army each holiday. Club members break up the day in 1-2 hour increments to cover a whole day.
The St. Paul Optimist's Club Friend of Youth Foundation has given out over $600,000 in scholarships to St. Paul students.
Jack Orme (l) was the winner of the St. Paul Club's 2023 essay contest. He is pictured above with his father Mike (r).
Jeri Gorman spurs the Club's donations to youth at risk in St. Paul. Teens who are homeless or do not have a stable home need hygiene supplies, socks, lip balm and so much more. The Club donates products and gift cards.
The St. Paul Optimist Club cooks and serves dinner monthly to the families on the St. Paul campus of the Jeremiah Program.
One of the 2023 presentations was on Broken Halo's Band Prison Tour of three prisons in the southern United States.
The Optimist Club of St. Paul celebrated Optimist Day on February 1st. Mayor Carter proclaimed it Optimist Day in St. Paul.
The Club makes treats for Jeremiah's Minneapolis/St. Paul Graduation Ceremony at the Wilder Center.
Club members donate food every year end to Neighborhood House!
The Silent Auction at the Cadillac FUNdraiser always has fun items to bid on! Many items are made by members, like the gorgeous birdhouse pictured here with Dave Eggenberger.
The Optimist Club of St. Paul joined forces with four other service clubs, putting together a Service Central Volunteer Crew at Sleep in Heavenly Peace. The crew built bunk beds for kids in Ramsey County who do not have a bed to sleep in.