Hermann Optimist Club Holds Public Meeting Monday Night

By Anna Wiegenstein

Several weeks after announcing plans to form an Optimist Club for Hermann and the surrounding areas, attendance has been slowly growing, judging from the meeting held July 12. 

Twelve potential members gathered in El Ranchito Mexican Restaurant in Hermann, a significant upgrade from the first organizational session's three participants. 

"We're slowly getting our news out," said one of the club's leaders, Linda Hoelmer-Neuner. She continued by saying that both she and co-founder Dennis Desmond want to expand the range of the Optimist Club to include towns including New Haven. As of last night, all group participants have been Hermann residents. 

The Optimist Club, a national organization dedicated to fundraising for various children's causes, requires that an officially-recognized group have 25 members. 

Hoelmer-Neuner explained the philosophy behind the club by saying, "We don't hand them the money, we get them whatever they need."

Though the Hermann chapter is not fully in action, the Monday evening meeting provided a chance for attendees to brainstorm ways to fundraise in a unique way. Among the causes initially mentioned by Hoelmer-Neuner was at attempt to finance and provide events for special needs children in the area. 

"[Parents] all say that it's so hard to involve them in anything," she said. 

For the moment, the Optimist organizers are continuing to rely on word-of-mouth and flyers to gain both momentum and new members. 

"It's a learn-as-you-go process," said Hoelmer-Neuner in conclusion.

Hermann's Optimist Club will meet again in El Ranchito restaurant on July 26th at 6 p.m. Further questions can be directed to:

Linda Hoelmer-Neuner

1004 Market St., Hermann, MO 65041

Cell: 314-971-3886

E-mail: tlcwithplc@yahoo.com

Dennis Desmond

25650 Kite Ave., Marshall, MO 65340

Home: 660-886-5258

Cell:  660-815-7742

E-mail: desmonddj@yahoo.com