A local teacher wants to enhance her students’ writing and public speaking skills. A Flushing area foster-care family needs help with back-to-school supplies for their four foster-care children. A homeless shelter housing families from Genesee County, including Flushing, has a need for non-perishable food items. An emerging Flushing Optimist Club will be the springboard for hosting projects and fundraisers to benefit the community and fill gaps within the community.

Flushing’s Optimist Club, which could be Michigan’s 100th, could also sponsor Childhood Cancer Campaign and Internet Safety projects and Tri-Star Basketball contests. In addition to the Optimist Oratorical, the Downtown Flint Optimist Club wants to bring over their Why I Volunteer essay contest, the scholarship program for 11-12th grades and other projects, to reward children, boost their self-esteem and reinforce positive behavior.

Cherryl Thames, governor for the Michigan District, has high regards for an organization that raised $220,000 for the previous one-year reporting period, with just 63 percent of totals counted. “On a scale of one to 10, Optimist Clubs are a 12″ she said.

Michael Murphy, Michigan District Optimist – Lt. Governor for the Flint, Davison, Lapeer and Grand Blanc areas, member of the Downtown Flint Optimist Club and Grand Blanc resident has confirmed two meetings to launch the Flushing effort at:

Kathy’s Restaurant and Lounge 126 E. Main St. Flushing, MI 48433

The first is an Optimist Leadership Development meeting – Saturday, September 19, 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. followed by New Club Building “Boots on the Ground” community engaging and recruitment.

The second is the Flushing Optimist Club informational and organization meeting – Saturday, September 19, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.

“We have already received some great feedback,” Murphy said.   “I believe the club should really focus on those students who may not have much but are looking for a better way of life. The more people that join our organization, the more we can help children, families and communities.”

Flushing needs 15 charter members to form its own Optimist Club. Thames and Murphy are excited and hopeful that the club can be organized on September 19th.

Local clubs have the independence to decide how they want to help their communities. They may also choose to collaborate with other local clubs on projects. “For Flushing to have its own local club is wonderful, Murphy said, and for us to be able to add another Optimist Club in this area is ideal.”

For additional information, contact Michael Murphy by: Phone: (810) 610-7782 Email: mjmurphy101@hotmail.com