Optimist Club of Maquoketa

11/12/2026

At our meeting yesterday, we welcomed Ruth Eltrich who is the Director of the Jackson County Veteran Affairs Office. She presented an overview of different benefits and programs veterans and their family members could benefit from. 💰✅

It was a very fitting program as it happened to be Veterans Day! The Optimist Club values patriotism and a major fundraiser for our club is our Flag Program. 🇺🇸

If you would like more information on how to be part of our flag program, just let us know!

And to all of the Veterans, We Thank You for our Freedom!

11/11/2026

Big thanks to the Maquoketa Optimist Club for their generous donation to the Maquoketa Fire Department’s poster contest! 🔥🚒 Our members Emily Johnson and Jim Trivette had a great time presenting the check to Fireman Matt Balliu. We love supporting our local community!

11/10/2026

Becoming an Optimist Club member does great things to lift your spirits and those of others!

Optimism feels good and it does good! A positive outlook can lift your spirits, strengthen connections, and inspire others to see what’s possible. When we choose optimism, we create more reasons to smile and more opportunities to make a difference.
Choose optimism. Share the joy. Join us today! Visit optimist.org today; you'll be glad you did.

11/09/2026

The Maquoketa Optimist Club donated money to the local Toys for Tots program 🎁!

Pictured is Maquoketa Optimist Club members Kate Krabbenhoft, Isabel Krabbenhoft, and Carol Hammill and representing the local Toys for Tots program is Megan Simmons.

11/03/2026

Hey, we know those people!! Love seeing their smiling faces doing great things for our community! Jane Schmidt and Beth Wold, members of Maquoketa Optimist.

Make a little time in your weekends to inspire others and increase your happiness. If you have an hour or two, that is all you need to make. difference in your community. Visit optimist.org and put volunteering on your calendar. Visit optimist.org today.

10/31/2026

Maquoketa YMCA Trunk or Treat time! Optimists sharing treats with local youth!

10/29/2026

On Wednesday October 28th, the Optimist Club of Maquoketa held an appreciation dinner for the Maquoketa Fire Department at the Timber Center in Maquoketa. There were around 50 in attendance at this celebration. Fire Chief, Bjorn Beck, gave a report on activity from this year at the fire station. There are currently 25 members of the fire department. They have gone on 84 fire calls and 60 rescue calls with August being their busiest month. The crew has averaged a response time of 5:04 minutes and an arrival on scene time of 11 minutes! These men and women volunteer, putting their lives on the line to help others; the Optimist Club of Maquoketa ensures their sacrifices do not go unnoticed. The Fire Chief was tasked with choosing a fire crew member to recognize for the night. A plaque of recognition was awarded to David Neumann. Bjorn Beck presented the award to David saying “I took a few days to think about it and I think we nailed it this year. This person had started in 2002 as a member of our Maquoketa Rescue Squad. He’s always up high on attendance with meetings and call percentages. He also is a custodian at the fire station so he’s always cleaning on Saturday mornings, and he has made a name for himself this past year as a professional driver. I would like to give this award to driver Dave Neumann”. After the recognition of David, we ended the night with reciting the words of the Optimist Creed.

10/26/2026

Maquoketa Middle School JOI Club members teamed with Optimists and the UCC to assemble and distribute 120 meals during the monthly community meal. Serving others is what we do!

10/11/2026

The Maquoketa Optimist Club donated money to the local Dolly Parton Imagination library to help more children receive books. Pictured is Maquoketa Optimist Club members Kate Krabbenhoft, Isabel Krabbenhoft, Emily Johnson, and Lori Johnson. Representing the Dolly Parton Imagination library program is Linda Stewart, Lin Redling, Doug Melvold, and Katie Pauls.

09/29/2026