Prior Lake Junior Optimist Club Blog
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Prior Lake Junior Optimist Club is apart of Junior Optimist International as the most active club in the Upper Midwest region! Over this past year, we accumulated over 3000 hours while creating a great impact on our community. Read more to find out about JOC and our impacts!
News
JOC and Advisors meet School District Superintendent
Meeting Dr. Michael Thomas, the Prior Lake-Savage Area School's new superintendent was an honor. He first met with the JOC board officers and advisors who shared their vision and roles within the club. Project leaders also shared upcoming volunteer events. Dr. Thomas expressed amazement and appreciation for the volume of service performed by the club for the local and larger communities. The Prior Lake JOC currently has more than 200 members, one of the largest in the country.
More News!
Prior Lake Junior Optimist Club Holds a Holiday Fundraiser (Winter Wonderland) - Press Release
The Prior Lake High School Junior Optimist Club will be hosting a fundraiser — Winter Wonderland — to help raise funds for local non-profits devoted to youth and families, according to a press release from the club.
According to the release, the family event will take place from noon-4 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 16, at Prior Lake High School and will feature a bake and craft sale, games for kids and a special appearance from Santa Claus from 2:30-4 p.m. Members of the community are encouraged to bring baked goods and homemade crafts to sell. Drop off will take place at PLHS on Friday, Dec. 15, from 3-6 p.m. on the second floor of the high school.
All proceeds from the sale will go to three south metro charities, including Giving Grace Foundation, which provides help to families with fertility treatment; Sleep in Heavenly Peace, which holds “bed builds” to provide beds to kids in need; and the Duckcup Memorial, which provide mental health and suicide prevention services to local youth, according to the release.
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“Our earlier sales have provided assistance to those affected by war, earthquake and hurricane,” club advisor Dan Steger said. “We are beyond excited to come together with adults in the community to help other young people right in our neighborhood. These three organizations each help a population that’s under the radar. The number of people needing these services, right here in Scott County, is staggering.”
Also according to the release, Junior Optimists will be baking and crafting, both on their own and in after-school groups, as well as choosing and helping with games and on-site crafting for kids.
“The club is working hard to provide goods and experiences to make this successful,” said Junior Optimist and PLHS junior Leah Guetter. “But we need bakers, crafters and buyers from all over town to help make this a success.”
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Earlier JOC sales have raised as much as $12,000.
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Prior Lake Junior Optimist Club Holds Bake Sale for Hurricane Ian Relief - Press Release
To support recovery and relief efforts for people affected by the devastation of Hurricane Ian, the Prior Lake High School Junior Optimist Club is rallying the local community to raise funds through a bake sale on November 5th from 9am to 3pm at the Prior Lake High School upper entrance. Community volunteers are asked to donate home-baked goods - drop off for donated bakery items is 3 - 6pm November 4th. The items need to come packaged and ready to sell. All proceeds will be given to Save the Children and Direct Relief for Hurricane Ian foundation to provide essential supplies and other much-needed relief. The Junior Optimists’ goal is to raise $5000
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​Student members of the Junior Optimist Club and their families have volunteered to create a variety of homemade goods such as cupcakes, pies, bars, bread, and much more. This is a student-led initiative. Student volunteers are organizing, staffing, and promoting the sale throughout the community.
"While the hurricane is over, the devastation left behind will take years to clean up and reconstruct," said Junior Optimist Club Advisor Dan Steger. “The lives of many people are permanently changed by this event, especially the elderly and low-income families. Many of our JOC members have friends and family connections in the affected region, making their commitment to help a personal one,” he continued.
The club’s previous bakesale to raise money for victims of the war in Ukraine raised more than $12,000.
JOC Rallies Local Community to Bake and Buy for Ukraine Relief
In recognition of the growing humanitarian crisis in Ukraine, the Junior Optimist Club of Prior Lake is rallying the local community to raise funds through a bake and craft sale, on April 16 from 9am - 3pm at Prior Lake High School. Community volunteers are asked to donate home-baked goods or come out to support the cause through buying the donated goodies. All proceeds will be given to the Red Cross and UNICEF to meet the needs of children and their families in Ukraine. The Junior Optimists’ goal is to raise $5,000. The local adult Optimist Club chapter has pledged a matching donation of up to $5,000 for a total of $10,000.
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The sale will be held at Prior Lake High School on April 16. If citizens would like to donate baked goods, they can be dropped off at PLHS on Friday, April 15 from 3 - 6pm and Saturday, April 16 from 8 - 10am. Sale hours are April 16 from 9am - 3pm at the school. Student members of the Junior Optimist Club and their families have volunteered to create a variety of homemade goods such as cupcakes, pies, bars, bread, and much more. Students have also offered to make crafts such as bracelets in traditional Ukrainian colors. Student volunteers will staff the sale and help spread the word in the community. Local businesses will be asked to donate raffle items, which will take place throughout the bake and craft sale.
For some residents, the event is more personal. “I was born and raised in Eastern Europe most of my life, and I have seen the impact of a hostile government on my native country, the Republic of Moldova, and our people,” commented Alexandra Rotaru, JOC member, project leader, and spokesperson. “When I heard that our neighbors from Ukraine were attacked my heart was shattered, and I knew I couldn't remain indifferent. I had to do something. When I was told by our advisors at Junior Optimist that we will organize a Ukrainian Relief Project, I got involved without a second thought,” she continued.
"Our thoughts are with Ukrainian citizens impacted by the crisis," said Junior Optimist Club Advisor Dan Steger. “The JOC talked about how it could help raise money. It was so impressive how quickly students reacted and the idea for the bake and craft sale was born. The response was instant. More than 40 students like Alexandra immediately asked what they could do to help impacted children and families,” he concluded.
The Prior Lake Junior Optimist Club is a group of more than 100 PLHS students who perform community service for local, national, and global constituencies. For more information, visit our webpage at
https://www.plhsactivities.org/page/show/965048-junior-optimist-club
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