Breakfast Optimist Club of Kalamazoo

Breakfast Optimist Club of Kalamazoo The Breakfast Optimist Club of Kalamazoo belongs to the Michigan District of Optimist International. Our Club was chartered on September 29, 1988.

We meet most Thursdays at 7:30 am at Mark's Diner, 677 Romence Road, Portage BOCK is also involved with the Optimist International Essay Contest - our Club works with Kalamazoo area schools and a scholarship is awarded to the winner. Holiday Food Drive & Adopt-a-Family Project - during the holiday season our Club works with different agencies to provide them with non-perishable food items and then

we adopt 1-3 families or groups and supply them with gifts and food to give them a joyous holiday. Community Service - Our Club provides support to meet the needs of the community through projects, participating in the Great Grown-Up Spelling Bee, Edison School Garden project, sponsoring Girls on the Run, etc.

The Breakfast Optimist Club of Kalamazoo is at WMU Bronco Bash! Come visit our membership table to win a free breakfast.
09/01/2026

The Breakfast Optimist Club of Kalamazoo is at WMU Bronco Bash! Come visit our membership table to win a free breakfast.

With Labor Day next weekend, have you been thinking to yourself you haven't golfed nearly as much this summer as you hop...
08/31/2026

With Labor Day next weekend, have you been thinking to yourself you haven't golfed nearly as much this summer as you hoped you would? Never fear, the BOCK Golf Outing is two weeks away and we still have room for golfers. And we are always accepting tee sponsors.

Proceeds from the golf outing go to Bronson Children’s Hospital Hematology and Oncology Unit.

Link: https://bockzoo.org/fundraisers/

The Michigan District Fourth Quarter Conference and Annual Convention was held today. Lyn Lenox-Bosma and Linda Thompson...
08/30/2026

The Michigan District Fourth Quarter Conference and Annual Convention was held today. Lyn Lenox-Bosma and Linda Thompson were inducted into the Michigan District Optimists Hall of Fame. Dan Mills was honored as Distinguished District Foundation Representative.

Tonight, Diane had us do the Spent activity, which forced us to make tough financial decisions with only a certain amoun...
08/28/2026

Tonight, Diane had us do the Spent activity, which forced us to make tough financial decisions with only a certain amount of money in month - only a few of us still had money remaining at the end of the month. This led to a great discussion.

--- New/updates —
Carmen is looking for help to clean-up the BOCK station at the end of Bronco Bash at 6 pm, Tuesday, Sept 1.

We have many opportunities for our golf outing on Sept. 12, proceeds go towards Bronson Children's Hospital Hematology/Oncology Unit:
⛳️Not a golfer, but have the time - we need volunteers. (Contact Val or Dave B if available)
⛳️Love to Golf - we have room for more golfers.
⛳️Not available on Sept 12 - consider sponsoring a hole - or - inviting friends to create a foursome
⛳️Check out bockzoo.org/fundraisers/
for golf registration and sponsorship forms

--future events–

Sept 1 Book Club - Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Sept 1 Bronco Bash
Sept 3 morning Meeting - Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader
Sept 8 Board Meeting @ Family & Children Services
Sept 10 morning Meeting - Sean Harris, Executive Director, Recovery Institute
Sept 12 Golf Outing - Olde Mill Golf Course, 8 am registration, 9 am shotgun start
Sept 17 morning Meeting - Nicole Waller from Children's Nature Playscape
Sept 24 morning Meeting - Installation of Officers 2026-2027/Birthday Celebration

Bob was a beloved member of BOCK and a great Optimist and community volunteer.
08/28/2026

Bob was a beloved member of BOCK and a great Optimist and community volunteer.

August has been full of moments that remind us what the Optimist Club is really all about—the children, and the relation...
08/23/2026

August has been full of moments that remind us what the Optimist Club is really all about—the children, and the relationships we build along the way.

This month, we packed diapers for Care Collective, volunteered at the Family and Children Services Family Picnic, and enabled local students to shop for school outfits made possible through the fundraising from the Right Start Campaign.

We show up for the children, but something beautiful happens along the way: we connect with one another, build friendships, share laughter, and strengthen the bonds that make our community special.

The Optimist Club does it for the children. And the added bonus? The relationships we form with each other make the journey even more meaningful.

Many BOCK members gathered today at the Meyers house in South Haven for a picnic—a wonderful opportunity to connect, share laughter, and enjoy the friendships that make our Optimist community so special.

Thank you Ralph & Jeanette for hosting. Thanks to everyone that brought food. Thanks to Julie for taking control of the kitchen. Thank you to those that sent in photos for this post. And thanks to the Jeff and Cathelia for lending their Jenga set - which might be turning into a Picnic tradition.

New members are always welcome! Come check us out!

We had a lovely gathering this morning catching up with one another.--- New/updates —Save the date Trunk-or-Treat, Great...
08/20/2026

We had a lovely gathering this morning catching up with one another.

--- New/updates —
Save the date Trunk-or-Treat, Great Lakes Center for Autism - Oct 17, Noon - 2P, be there at 11A, decorated by 11:30A, more details to follow.

We are currently taking nominations for Optimist of the Year - link to the form is in the newsletter.

Before the evening meeting on the 27th there will be a tree dedication at Red Arrow Golf Course in honor of Bob Balik, details in the newsletter.

Bronco Bash volunteers needed for Sept 1 - contact Carmen for details.

If you are available Sept 12 - please sign up to either Volunteer or Golf at our golf outing - reach out to Val.

--future events–
Aug 22 Picnic - at Meyers
Aug 27 evening Meeting - Misty Merrick, Midwest Enterprises for the Blind
Sept 1 Book Club - Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Sept 1 Bronco Bash
Sept 3 morning Meeting - Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader
Sept 8 Board Meeting @ Family & Children Services
Sept 10 morning Meeting - Sean Harris, Executive Director, Recovery Institute
Sept 12 Golf Outing - Olde Mill Golf Course, 8 am registration, 9 am shotgun start
Sept 17 morning Meeting - Nicole Waller, Children's Nature Playscape
Sept 24 evening Meeting - Installation of Officers 2026-2027/Birthday Celebration

Members of the Breakfast Optimist Club of Kalamazoo volunteered at Care Collective of Southwest Michigan tonight and pac...
08/18/2026

Members of the Breakfast Optimist Club of Kalamazoo volunteered at Care Collective of Southwest Michigan tonight and packaged 14,400 diapers in less than an hour.

This morning's speaker was Toni Newell, Executive Director, Catholic CharitiesBy the numbers: they have been around for ...
08/13/2026

This morning's speaker was Toni Newell, Executive Director, Catholic Charities

By the numbers: they have been around for 51 years, they have 7 main programs, 43 employees, 100 volunteers, support 9 counties

1. Ark servies for youth. Outreach, Ark shelter - 13 youth (10-17 yo) - up to 21 days, Youth & Independent Living
2. Caring Network- parent & pregnancy support services
3. Bridges Mental Health Counseling
4. Immigration Assistance
5. Home Heating Assistance
6. Catholic Community Center - located in Benton Harbor
7. Bread of Life - packaging in Portage, roght behind Mark's Diner. Deliver to homes and food pantries. Serve 3500-4000 per month. 3x a month fresh food delivery

Ad hoc program- disaster relief

--- New/updates —
Taking nominations for Optimist of the Year - check next week's newsletter for information and nomination form.

Reminder - BOCK picnic is the 22nd. It is confirmed that Jenga will be back - so bring your steady hands along with your dish to share.

Before the evening meeting on the 27th there will be a tree dedication at Red Arrow Golf Course in honor of Bob Balick, details in the newsletter

Car wash coupon prices have been dropped. They are now $15 for a $25 wash - see Bruce to purchase

Bronco Bash volunteers needed for Sept 1 - see Carmen for details

--future events–
Aug 18 Care Collective
Aug 20 morning meeting - Gathering
Aug 22 Picnic - at Meyers
Aug 26 Board Retreat
Aug 27 evening Meeting - Misty Merrick, Midwest Enterprises for the Blind
Sept 1 Book Club - Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid
Sept 1 Bronco Bash
Sept 3 morning Meeting - Are You Smarter than a 5th Grader
Sept 8 Board Meeting @ Family & Children Services
Sept 10 morning Meeting - Presentation
Sept 12 Golf Outing - Olde Mill Golf Course, 8 am registration, 9 am shotgun start
Sept 17 morning Meeting - Gathering
Sept 24 morning Meeting - Installation of Officers 2026-2027/Birthday Celebration

Address

PO Box 16
Portage, MI
49081

Opening Hours

9am - 8:30am

Telephone

269-217-6025

Website

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