BLOCK Fund
Bringing Local Opportunities to Connect Kids
The BLOCK (Building Local Opportunities to Connect Kids) fund was created in 2022 and offers community groups with a way to apply to the Optimist Club for funds. You must meet the criteria listed and apply through our electronic form. The Fund committee will respond to your application.
Criteria to Apply for BLOCK funds:
The organization must have a sponsoring Optimist Member.
The requesting organization must have a 501c3 status or be affiliated with a 501c3, such as a youth school group.
The organization must be centered around youth.
The organization must serve youth in the Lebanon or Laclede County area.
The organization must have the money earmarked for the youth in our community, it should not go outside of the Lebanon or Laclede County area.
The money must go toward a specific project or event hosted by the organization, not just for investment into the organization.
Must consent to allow the Optimist Club to use the organization’s name in our social media and website publications.
Must consent to the follow-up requirements listed in the fund’s guidelines.
The organization could apply each year to the fund, providing the previous year’s follow-up requirements were met.
2023 Donations from the BLOCK Grant Program
DARE Program
The Lebanon Downtown Optimist Club Block (Bringing Local Opportunities to Connect Kids) Grant Committee presented a ceremonial check to Officer Jennifer Janko for $2,000 in seed money for launching the DARE program in Lebanon Schools. Pictured are committee members Katie Massey, Travis Townsend, Sandi Hoffman and Derek Gean. Not pictured is Kelly Hicks.
Below are pictures from the DARE graduation at Boswell Elementary School on April 18, 2023.
GO CAPS Program
Representatives of GO CAPS Lake Region medical strand attended one of our club meetings to demonstrate their new Oculus Virtual Reality Machine they use to experience life-like medical scenarios. GO CAPS was awarded a grant through the Lebanon Optimist Block Fund to purchase the equipment. We are glad we were able to support this project and we are excited about the new medical experiences this device will provide.
Gasconade C-4 School District
The BLOCK fund provided funds for the Gasconade C-4 School District located in rural Laclede County to purchase desks and chairs for their pre-school program.
Lebanon YMCA
The BLOCK fund provided funds for the Lebanon YMCA allowing them to purchase tables, chairs, cubby shelves and a bookshelf for the Kids Zone Area. The Kids Zone is a safe area for children 6 weeks to 9 years old to stay and play while their parents work out at the Y.
