Welcome to the Breakfast Optimist Club of Kalamazoo – BOCK

Optimist Mission:

By providing hope and a positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in our youth, our communities, and ourselves.

Optimist International President:

For the 2024 – 2025 Optimist Year (October – September) the Optimist International President is Janet Oord Graves.

Janet started as an Optimist when she joined BOCK on October 14, 1997.

She was the BOCK club president in 2001 – 2002.

She was the Governor of the Michigan District of Optimists International in 2010 – 2011.

Gatherings:

Club Gatherings are on most Thursdays from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. ET at Michelle’s Restaurant, 677 Romence Road, Portage, MI 49024 (see map below).

On the fourth Thursday of each month the gathering starts at 5:30 p.m. Eastern Time and is at Old Burdick’s Bar and Grill Wings West, https://www.oldburdicks.com/location/wings-west/, 5076 Sports Dr, Kalamazoo, MI 49009 (see map below). There is no morning gathering on these fourth Thursdays of the month.

No gathering on the fourth Thursday of November, Thanksgiving day, November 28, 2024.

For December 2024, the Thursday evening gathering is on the third Thursday, the 19th. This is the date of the club’s annual Christmas gift exchange.

No gathering on the day after Christmas, December 26, 2024.

There is no gathering when Kalamazoo or Portage Public Schools are delayed or closed due to weather.

Be a first-time visitor. The club pays for your meal.,

Trivia Night:

Friday, November 22, 2024.
Portage Zhang Senior Center, 203 East Entre Ave, Portage, MI 49002. The room is at ground level and at the west end of the building.
Coffee, water, and delicious desserts are provided.
You can bring your own booze.
Each trivia team can have up to six persons and the cost per team is $150.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and trivia starts at 7:00 p.m.
Proceeds donated to the Bronson Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Specialists for children’s toys and games.
Registration deadline is Tuesday, November 19, 2024.
If you like trivia and want to participate, use the Contact link in the webpage header to send BOCK a message.

O.W.L.S. Program:

O.W.L.S. = Optimists Working for Learning Success.

Optimist clubs partner with local schools or classrooms to provide nutrition, clothing, school supplies, hygiene products, tutoring and mentoring to help students survive.

In the Spring of 2024 BOCK started a partnership with Beth Heimann’s 2nd-grade class at Comstock Elementary School. This partnership continues during the 2024 – 2025 Optimist year.

Link to May 2, 2024, Thank You letter from Dr. Jeffrey J. Thoenes, Superintendent of Comstock Public Schools, thoenes.pdf.

Upcoming Activities (November 2024 – December 2024):

Friday, November 22, 2024: BOCK Trivia Night; Portage Zhang Senior Center, 203 E Centre Ave, Portage, MI 49002; Doors open at 6:30 p.m.; trivia starts at 7:00 p.m.; six persons per trivia team; cost per team is $150; coffee, water, and delicious desserts provided; BYOB; Funds donated to Bronson Pediatric Oncology & Hematology Specialists; if interested, use the Contact link in the header to send BOCK a message.

Friday, November 29, 2024: Fundraiser, Two BOCK members usher at Western Michigan University hockey game.

Saturday, November 30, 2024: Fundraiser, Three BOCK members usher at Western Michigan University football game.

Tuesday, December 3, 2024: Book club, book discussed is The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride.

Wednesday, December 4, 2024: PowerUp (https://www.radiant.church/powerup).

Friday, December 6, 2024: Fundraiser, Two BOCK members usher at Western Michigan University hockey game.

Saturday, December 7, 2024: Fundraiser, Two BOCK members usher at Western Michigan University hockey game.

Recent Activities, Starting October 1, 2024:

Tuesday, October 1, 2024: Book club, Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys.

Saturday, October 5, 2024: Fundraiser, Two BOCK members ushered at Western Michigan University hockey game.

Thursday, October 10, 2024; At the BOCK gathering our speaker was Shannon Kaplan a Physical Therapist at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy. Her presentation topic was Functional Fitness. She provided a set of exercises. The link: Exercises.pdf (PDF file size = 2,983 KB)

Friday, October 11, 2024: Fundraiser, Two BOCK members ushered at Western Michigan University hockey game.

Saturday, October 12, 2024: Fundraiser, Three BOCK members ushered at Western Michigan University football game.

Thursday, October 17, 2024: Fundraiser, Two BOCK members ushered at Western Michigan University hockey game.

Saturday, October 19, 2024: Fundraiser, Two BOCK members ushered at Western Michigan University hockey game.

Saturday, October 19, 2024: Great Lakes Center of Autism Treatment and Research, 11th Annual Trunk or Treat! (https://www.autismtreatmentresearch.org/11th-annual-trunk-or-treat/), BOCK members decorated and displayed a fun farm-themed trunk.

Wednesday, October 23, 2024: PowerUp (https://www.radiant.church/powerup), 14 BOCK members and 2 guests packed 460 meal bags. We also donated items for the high school food pantries.

Thursday, October 24, 2024, BOCK gathering: BOCK member Lyn Lenox gave a presentation on the NEW Personal Growth and Involvement Program: All the Changes! It is online and offered through the Optimist Institute. Link to registration information, OptimistInstitute.pdf (File size = 1,143 KB).

Saturday, October 26, 2024: Fundraiser, Three BOCK members ushered at Western Michigan University football game.

Tuesday, November 5, 2024: Book club, The Women by Kristin Hannah.

Wednesday, November 6, 2024: Fundraiser, Three BOCK members ushered at Western Michigan University football game.

Sunday, November 10, 2024: Fellowship, Western Michigan University, Shaw Theatre, 2:00 p.m., Legally Blonde: The Musical. Optional supper at the University Road House, 1332 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49006.

Friday, November 15, 2024, and Saturday, November 16, 2024: About 10 BOCK members attended the Michigan District Fall Gathering, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Auburn Hills, MI, Details: https://michiganoptimists.org/events/2024-25-fall-gathering/.

Friday, November 15, 2024: Fundraiser, Three BOCK members ushered at Western Michigan University hockey game.

Saturday, November 16, 2024: Fundraiser, Two BOCK members ushered at Western Michigan University hockey game.

Clubs BOCK recently founded and/or assists:

The Smile Always Uganda Foundation Optimist Club, assists 2023.
The Rise Optimist Club, Kalamazoo, founded 2022.
Movers and Shakers Optimist Club of Greater Grand Rapids, founded 2020.
Portage Central High School Rise & Shine Optimist Club, founded 2019.

Optimist Activities:

The Optimist Creed:

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.

Inspirational Quote:

“Optimism is a strategy for making a better future. Because unless you believe that the future can be better, you are unlikely to step up and take responsibility for making it so.”―Noam Chomsky

Google Maps, Thursday Gatherings:

Thursday Mornings: Michelle’s Restaurant, 677 Romence Road, Portage, MI 49024

Thursday Evenings: Old Burdick’s Bar and Grill Wings West, 5076 Sports Dr, Kalamazoo, MI 49009.

Welcome to the Breakfast Optimist Club of Kalamazoo – BOCK

Optimist Mission:

By providing hope and a positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in our youth, our communities, and ourselves.

Optimist International President:

For the 2024 – 2025 Optimist Year (October – September) the Optimist International President is Janet Oord Graves.

Janet started as an Optimist when she joined BOCK on October 14, 1997.

She was the BOCK club president in 2001 – 2002.

She was the Governor of the Michigan District of Optimists International in 2010 – 2011.

Gatherings:

Club Gatherings are on most Thursdays from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. ET at Michelle’s Restaurant, 677 Romence Road, Portage, MI 49024 (see map below).

No gathering on the fourth Thursday of November, Thanksgiving day, November 28, 2024.

For December 2024, the Thursday evening gathering is on the third Thursday, the 19th. This is the date of the club’s annual Christmas gift exchange.

No gathering on the day after Christmas, December 26, 2024.

There is no gathering when Kalamazoo or Portage Public Schools are delayed or closed due to weather.

Be a first-time visitor. The club pays for your meal.,

Trivia Night:

Friday, November 22, 2024.

Portage Zhang Senior Center, 203 East Entre Ave, Portage, MI 49002. The room is at ground level and at the west end of the building.

Coffee, water, and delicious desserts are provided.

You can bring your own booze.

Each trivia team can have up to six persons and the cost per team is $150.

Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and trivia starts at 7:00 p.m.

Proceeds donated to the Bronson Pediatric Oncology and Hematology Specialists for children’s toys and games.

Registration deadline is Tuesday, November 19, 2024.

If you like trivia and want to participate, use the Contact link in the webpage header to send BOCK a message.

O.W.L.S. Program:

O.W.L.S. = Optimists Working for Learning Success.

Optimist clubs partner with local schools or classrooms to provide nutrition, clothing, school supplies, hygiene products, tutoring and mentoring to help students survive.

In the Spring of 2024 BOCK started a partnership with Beth Heimann’s 2nd-grade class at Comstock Elementary School. This partnership continues during the 2024 – 2025 Optimist year.

Link to May 2, 2024, Thank You letter from Dr. Jeffrey J. Thoenes, Superintendent of Comstock Public Schools, thoenes.pdf.

Upcoming Activities (November 2024 – December 2024):

Friday, November 29, 2024: Fundraiser, Two BOCK members usher at Western Michigan University hockey game.

Saturday, November 30, 2024: Fundraiser, Three BOCK members usher at Western Michigan University football game.

Tuesday, December 3, 2024: Book club, book discussed is The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store by James McBride.

Wednesday, December 4, 2024: PowerUp (https://www.radiant.church/powerup).

Friday, December 6, 2024: Fundraiser, Two BOCK members usher at Western Michigan University hockey game.

Saturday, December 7, 2024: Fundraiser, Two BOCK members usher at Western Michigan University hockey game.

Recent Activities, Starting October 1, 2024:

Tuesday, October 1, 2024: Book club, Fountains of Silence by Ruta Sepetys.

Saturday, October 5, 2024: Fundraiser, Two BOCK members ushered at Western Michigan University hockey game.

Thursday, October 10, 2024; At the BOCK gathering our speaker was Shannon Kaplan a Physical Therapist at Ivy Rehab Physical Therapy. Her presentation topic was Functional Fitness. She provided a set of exercises. The link: Exercises.pdf (PDF file size = 2,983 KB)

Friday, October 11, 2024: Fundraiser, Two BOCK members ushered at Western Michigan University hockey game.

Saturday, October 12, 2024: Fundraiser, Three BOCK members ushered at Western Michigan University football game.

Thursday, October 17, 2024: Fundraiser, Two BOCK members ushered at Western Michigan University hockey game.

Saturday, October 19, 2024: Fundraiser, Two BOCK members ushered at Western Michigan University hockey game.

Saturday, October 19, 2024: Great Lakes Center of Autism Treatment and Research, 11th Annual Trunk or Treat! (https://www.autismtreatmentresearch.org/11th-annual-trunk-or-treat/), BOCK members decorated and displayed a fun farm-themed trunk.

Wednesday, October 23, 2024: PowerUp (https://www.radiant.church/powerup), 14 BOCK members and 2 guests packed 460 meal bags. We also donated items for the high school food pantries.

Thursday, October 24, 2024, BOCK gathering: BOCK member Lyn Lenox gave a presentation on the NEW Personal Growth and Involvement Program: All the Changes! It is online and offered through the Optimist Institute. Link to registration information, OptimistInstitute.pdf (File size = 1,143 KB).

Saturday, October 26, 2024: Fundraiser, Three BOCK members ushered at Western Michigan University football game.

Tuesday, November 5, 2024: Book club, The Women by Kristin Hannah.

Wednesday, November 6, 2024: Fundraiser, Three BOCK members ushered at Western Michigan University football game.

Sunday, November 10, 2024: Fellowship, Western Michigan University, Shaw Theatre, 2:00 p.m., Legally Blonde: The Musical. Optional supper at the University Road House, 1332 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49006.

Sunday, November 10, 2024: Fellowship, Western Michigan University, Shaw Theatre, 2:00 p.m., Legally Blonde: The Musical. Optional supper at the University Road House, 1332 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49006.

Friday, November 15, 2024, and Saturday, November 16, 2024: About 10 BOCK members attended the Michigan District Fall Gathering, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Auburn Hills, MI, Details: https://michiganoptimists.org/events/2024-25-fall-gathering/.

Friday, November 15, 2024: Fundraiser, Three BOCK members ushered at Western Michigan University hockey game.

Saturday, November 16, 2024: Fundraiser, Two BOCK members ushered at Western Michigan University hockey game.

Clubs BOCK recently founded and/or assists:

The Smile Always Uganda Foundation Optimist Club, assists 2023.The Rise Optimist Club, Kalamazoo, founded 2022.Movers and Shakers Optimist Club of Greater Grand Rapids, founded 2020.Portage Central High School Rise & Shine Optimist Club, founded 2019.

Optimist Activities:

The Optimist Creed:

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.

Inspirational Quote:

“Optimism is a strategy for making a better future. Because unless you believe that the future can be better, you are unlikely to step up and take responsibility for making it so.”―Noam Chomsky

Google Maps, Thursday Gatherings:

Thursday Mornings: Michelle’s Restaurant, 677 Romence Road, Portage, MI 49024

Thursday Evenings: Old Burdick’s Bar and Grill Wings West, 5076 Sports Dr, Kalamazoo, MI 49009.

The Smile Always Uganda Foundation Optimist Club, assists 2023.
The Rise Optimist Club, Kalamazoo, founded 2022.
Movers and Shakers Optimist Club of Greater Grand Rapids, founded 2020.
Portage Central High School Rise & Shine Optimist Club, founded 2019.