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Members range in age from 21 to 87 and from all types of occupations, from agriculture and sales jobs to office and refinery work. "Our differences make us stronger," Neuman says. "At the end of the day, we're all there for the same reason, to raise money for kids." Optimists of Great Falls Across town, Shelby Kuenning presides over the Optimist Club of Great Falls, which was chartered in 1948 and has a smaller but growing membership. is club raises money handling parking at the state fair each summer, and presents a fall pre-holiday show and sale at Montana Expo Park as well as a girls' track meet each spring. Initiatives have supported children with multiple sclerosis, the Montana Youth Transitions program, Make a Wish Foundation, Great Falls Children's Receiving Home, and many others. Kuenning is "really, really proud" of the support provided to the Great Falls Public Schools Foundation to buy gently used musical instruments for kids in need. Typically 30-60 kids benefit each year, according to Kuenning. "at kind of thing makes a difference in kids' lives," Kuenning says. "It can help li them out of poverty." e Great Falls Optimists come in all ages, too, and from all walks of life. Kuenning learned about the group through his father, who was also a member. A Great Falls native, Shelby Kuenning graduated from Montana State University in Bozeman with a degree in film and TV. He worked in construction and as a home and building inspector, in addition to jobs in ski patrol and social services. He ran sled dogs in Gallatin Gateway before returning to Central Montana 22 years ago to help his mom, aer his father died. Kuenning says that statistically each Optimist directly affects 36 children a year. "I love what the organization is about and what we do," Kuenning says. "In Great Falls, we have a lot of issues, and Optimists do a lot to help. ere's no telling how many kids we've helped out from poor fates." A Common Mission Both groups follow the mission of Optimist International: "By providing hope and positive vision, Optimists bring out the best in youth, our communities and ourselves." Both support OI projects such as an oratorical contest for high school students. ough they support many of their own, separate causes, the two groups come together for an August float trip and an annual picnic. e Optimist International service organization includes more than 2,500 clubs and 80,000 members worldwide. Other local clubs include Waggin' Tails, which partners children with animals, and the Badger Optimist Club, a junior group in Cascade, composed of Future Farmers of America. ese new groups were chartered under the wings of the Uptown Optimists. "Our club is always trying new things to make things beer." Neuman says. "e goal is to be beer citizens and help the community." "If you complain about the community and if you want it to change," he continues, "you need to be part of that change to make it beer." And that just might change your own life. Interested in Creating a Beer Future? • e Uptown Optimist Club meets ursdays at 5:30, p.m. at the Pit Stop in Black Eagle. Annual membership fee is $90. Visit uptownoptimistclub.com. • e Optimist Club of Great Falls meets Wednesdays at noon at the Holiday Inn in Great Falls. Annual membership fee is $85. Visit optimistclubgf.org. Chris moved to Montana to fulfill a lifelong dream in 2016. An outdoor enthusiast, Chris enjoys great food, wine, people, and taking the back road to see where it leads. S MT SiG MT 37 SiG MT 45 5006 North Star Boulevard Great Falls, MT kitchens bathrooms closets entertainment centers custom work precisionwoodworksinc.com 453-9597 799-2199