Winter 2026 Newsletter

The first quarter of 2026 brought hands-on service, fundraising, youth recognition, and opportunities to celebrate people who strengthen our community.

January highlights

Holiday Lights teardown. On January 3, members helped take down Kiwanis Holiday Lights in two shifts.

Shift	Volunteers
9 a.m. to noon	Kate Hengy-Gretz, Jeff Gretz, Jon, and Deb Lindely
1 to 4 p.m.	Dawn Campbell, Drew Campbell, Linnea Wilson, and Pat Thompson

• January 8 — Members joined the Rotary of Greater Mankato and ImagineOne Literacy Bowl-a-thon at Wow Zone. Bowlers included Chris Harris, Swede Mundell, Pat Thompson, Allison Jennings and family, and Pam DeMarce.
• January 24 — Pat attended the second-quarter DMM Conference by Zoom and reported on the club's work.
• January 27 — DMM Governor Kristi "Cricket" Palmer spoke at the regular club meeting.

February fundraising and fellowship

BINGO at Wow Zone. Members sold BINGO cards from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Each volunteer night earned $250 to help others in the community.

Date	Volunteers
Feb 3	Deb Lindely, Sue Carlson, Swede Mundell, and Chris Harris
Feb 10	Deb Lindely, Sue Carlson, Swede Mundell, Patti Lokken, and Nancy Fager
Feb 17	Swede Mundell, Kate Hengy-Gretz, and Patti Lokken

• February 5 — Optimist Day encouraged members to share optimism with the people around them.
• February 13 — The club had a table at the Good Counsel Learning Center Shrimp'In fundraiser, featuring dinner and music by the Dan Duffy Orchestra. Pam and Pat served on the planning committee.
• February 20 — The Junior Achievement Bowl-a-thon was held at Wow Zone.
• February 24 — Heather Gordon of Bravo Zulu House spoke at the regular meeting.

March youth and community recognition

• Gymnastics team gift bags — On March 15, the club distributed 24 congratulations gift bags to the Mankato East and Mankato West gymnastics teams and shared the Optimist Club story with their families.
• Visual Arts Competition — At the March 24 meeting, youth participants were invited to attend as the club finalized the Optimist International Visual Arts Competition and presented prizes. Thank you to committee members Melanie Schmidt, Patti Lokken, Sue Carlson, and Linnea Wilson.
• Great Northern Viking Festival — Inga Northern spoke about the summer event at Jack McGowan's Farm.
• Service to Mankind — On March 26, friend of the club Amy Klugherz of A Fresh Start was honored at the Sertoma Service to Mankind Banquet at Wow Zone.

Thank you to every member and volunteer who gave time, energy, and encouragement this winter.