Contacts:

Mike Horsefield, President mike.horsfield@rockvalleypt.com

Bernie Mack, Treasurer berniemack@mchsi.com

Foundation History & Mission

The building blocks for the foundation were laid many years ago when John Asmus, a long time member of the Davenport Noon Optimist Club, passed away and his wife Jane gave money to the club as a memorial.  This generous gift was followed by memorials for two other dedicated Optimist members, Russ Lichtenstein and Dick Stinogel.  These funds were set aside by the Club in long term investments.

In 1993 the Board and Membership of the Club took action to incorporate the Optimist Club Foundation of Davenport and applied for 501(c) 3 status.  In 1998, led by the efforts of Harold Daniels, Don Lee, Bob Shaw, and George Otte,  the Foundation by-laws were revised and a goal was established to grow the foundation to $50,000 within 5 years.  Thanks to the generosity of members and memorials, this goal was surpassed.

Through the generous donations, memorials and challenges issued over the years the Foundation has blossomed into an active “Friend of Youth” in the Quad Cities.  The long term investment strategy of the Foundation provides a means for anyone in the community to be a “Friend of Youth in Perpetuity” through their generous donations to the Foundation.