Who Are We?

Optimist International is an association of more than 2,600 Optimist Clubs around the world dedicated to “Bringing Out the Best in Kids.” Adult volunteers join Optimist Clubs to conduct positive service projects in their communities aimed at providing a helping hand to youth. With their upbeat attitude, Optimist Club members help empower young people to be the best that they can be.

Each Optimist Club determines the needs of the young people in its community and conducts programs to meet those needs. Every year, Optimists conduct 65,000 service projects and serve well over six million young people. 

The Harper Creek Optimist Club has been in existence since 1959! At the start of this Optimist year (October – September) we have 57 active members. We have weekly meetings from October through May with social interaction and an agenda that usually involves an adult speaker from the community or a presentation form youth engaged in one of our supportive programs. Presently our weekly meetings are held every Thursday at 6:30 PM at Pasche's Seafood Kitchen located at 11081 East Michigan Avenue. 

Visitors and guests are welcomed at our meetings and new ideas and optimistic endeavors are valued. Our main fundraiser is the Draw-Down Cash Raffle, now referred to as Duncan Bailey Memorial Draw Down. Our club could not be a positive community supporter without all the volunteer hours put in by our dedicated members. Annual dues are $100, of which the majority is paid back to Optimist International. Dues may be paid quarterly. Below is a new member application:

 Promise Yourself

To be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.

To talk health, happiness and prosperity to every person you meet.

To make all your friends feel that there is something in them.

To look at the sunny side of everything and make your optimism come true.

To think only of the best, to work only for the best, and to expect only the best.

To be just as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own.

To forget the mistakes of the past and press on to the greater achievements of the future.

To wear a cheerful countenance at all times and give every living creature you meet a smile.

To give so much time to the improvement of yourself that you have no time to criticize others.

To be too large for worry, too noble for anger, too strong for fear, and too happy to permit the presence of trouble. 

CLUB OFFICERS 2022-2023

PRESIDENT - Michael Olson     

VICE PRESIDENT - Allyn Miller

VICE PRESIDENT - Toni Gore

TREASURER - Dr. Craig  Miller  

SECRETARY - Dr. Gary  Gymer 

CLUB TRUSTEE MEMBERS  2022-2023

2022-2023 -  David Jackson Sr.

2022-2023 -  Dustin King

2022-2023 -  Nate Smith

2022-2024 -  Dr. Jeromy Myers

2022-2024 -  Crystal Florence 

2022-2024 -  Randy Yother

Questions or concerns about the Harper Creek Optimist Club can be directed to:

Dr. Craig A. Miller @ 269-979-1561 camiller@net-link.net

Dr. Jeromy Myers @  269-964-1441 Jmyers@doctor.com

Dr. Gary Gymer @ 269-317-0925 ggymer@gmail.com