Members of the Optimist Club of St. Louis, Optimist International Leaders, the community, and check recipients gathered for the 2022 Community Grant Check Presentation.

This year, thanks to the generosity of our foundation, the Optimist Club of St. Louis has decided to grant funds to all grantee submissions. A total of nine local St. Louis organizations will receive a total of $82,500.00 in order to help improve the youth and community of St. Louis MO.

Optimist Club of St. Louis President Jennifer Bagwell, expressed, “This year we have decided to grant funding to all grant applications submitted to the Optimist Club of St. Louis. Through these funds, we can do our part to support many local wonderful organizations, so they can continue doing the amazing work despite a two-year global pandemic.

As such, the Optimist Club of St. Louis will be granting a total of $82,500.00 to nine local organizations within the St. Louis community who are working towards improving the lives of the youth and community.” 

To celebrate, they held a special check presentation ceremony inviting all awarded organizations, the community, local leaders, Optimist Leaders, members of the foundation. 

The Optimist Club of St. Louis has been supporting local youth in the City of St. Louis for over 105 years through various programs and service projects, as well as awarding annual community grants – all in the name of Optimism.

Lister Florence, Sallie Westenbarger, Carl Westenbarger, Jennifer Bagwell, Cheryl Brenn, Mary Hatfield, Lauren Dell,

Cultural Leadership Tamyka Perine and Jennifer Bagwell

Optimist International Executive Director Cheryl Brenn

Swim On Foundation President Lisa McMullin and President of the Optimist Club of St. Louis Jennifer Bagwell

City Academy St. Louis MO Chief Development Officer Janice Bailey

Children’s Advocacy Services of St Louis MO

Big Brother Big Sister of St. Louis MO Mark W. Halastik Senior Manager of Grants and President of Optimist Club of St. Louis Jennifer Bagwell

City Academy

Youth and Family Center of St. Louis MO Executive Director LaChrisa Crenshaw and President of Optimist Club of St. Louis Jennifer Bagwell

Hawthorn Leadership of St. Louis MO Director of Engagement, Dorvonda Payne and Jennifer Bagwell

Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital of St. Louis MO Director of Philanthropy Andrew R. Sutton

John Saunders Westly House STL

Westly House Association of St. Louis MO

New Member Vanita Washington

New Member LaChrisa

• Swim On Foundation,
• Cultural Leadership Organization
• Boys Hope Girls Hope STL
• Hawthorn Leadership School for Girls
• Children’s Advocacy Services of Greater St. Louis
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri
• Youth and Family Center
• City Academy
• Wesley House Association
• Cardinal Glennon