Platteville Optimist Club

Platteville Optimist President Terri Ellis, front row far right, and Charlie Clark, back row far right, present Matt Heer, back row second from right, Platteville High School HUNCH Advisor, a $200 check. HUNCH stands for H igh School U nited with N ASA to C reate H ardware and is a nationally recognized workforce development program with a 23-year legacy of preparing the next generation of innovators and leaders.

Platteville Optimist Club President Terri Ellis, front row left, and Optimist Member Charlie Clark, front row right, presented a $100 check to members of the Platteville High School Educators Rising Chapter and Brad Brogley, far right, Advisor of the Chapter and fellow Optimist Member Educators Rising strives to inspire young people to pursue a career in teaching.

L-R: Meghan Skemp, Platteville School District, and Optimist President Terri Ellis Meghan Skemp, Platteville School District Social Worker / Homeless Liasion, accepts a check from the Platteville Optimist Club to purchase supplies to insert in food packs for students with food insecurities. The district provided over 4000 packs (bags) during the 2024-25 school year. Each pack includes two non-perishable, kid friendly, meals. Tuna, chicken, mac & cheese, beef sticks, banan

L-R: Terry and Patti Cullen, BENS Hope, accept a $400 donation from Optimist President Terri Ellis. BENS Hope is a non-profit organization that honors lives lost to suicide by raising awareness, breaking stigmas, and supporting those in need. They rely on donations to share their story so they can help others. Their work saves lives through impactful presentations in schools, showcasing support services, organizing support groups and events, and hosting retreats to a

Pictured above L-R: Platteville Community Arboretum President Joe Jacquinot and Platteville Optimist Club President Terri Ellis Platteville Community Arboretum (PCA) President, Joe Jacquinot accepted a $500 check from the Optimist Club in support of the "Valley-to-Eastside Expansion Project". PCA is working with five landowners to acquire ~15 acres of land for the City of Platteville to expand the trails in Platteville. PCA and the City were awarded a 50/50 grant from the

Pictured above L-R: Optimist President Terri Ellis and Herb Cody representing Wisconsin Badger Camp The Optimist Club was excited to present Wisconsin Badger Camp with a $1,000 check on the eve of their 11th Annual Badger Camp 1966 Event. This years event on December 13th will kickoff the camps 60th Anniversary. All proceeds from the event benefit Wisconsin Badger Camp. Wisconsin Badger Camp's goal is to provide a positive natural environment where individuals with develo

Pictured above L-R: Terry Woolf, Dee Woolf and Optimist President Terri Ellis. Terry and Dee Woolf have been involved with scouting programs in Platteville for many years. Platteville is part of the Pioneer District of the Blackhawk Area Council which provides programming for several counties in southwestern Wisconsin and northwestern Illinois. Platteville has active Scout programs, including Troop 82 based at Platteville United Methodist Church and Troop 84 and Pack 89 (Cub

American Legion Auxiliary Member Dee Woolf accepts a $500 check from Optimist President Terri Ellis in support of the Badger State Girls program. Badger Girls State (ALABGS) 2026 will be held June 21-26, 2026, at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh. Between 500-600 girls from all over the state of Wisconsin participate. It is a government and leadership conference for high school junior girls, focusing on citizenship, running mock governments, and learning about American dem

Optimist President Terri Ellis presents a $500 check to American Legion Member Terry Woolf to support the Badger Boys State program. About 900 students attend the program which is held at UW-Eau Claire each June. During the program, high school students learn how our government system works by creating their own city, county, and state level governments. Participants leave feeling inspired to become active members of their local communities. Many develop lifelong friendships

Platteville Optimist Club President Terri Ellis, left, presents a check to Danielle Lynch, representing the Platteville Holiday Project. The organization assists families in our community who are in need of assistance during the holiday season. They organize the annual "Coats For Kids" drive and distribution where they collected 184 coats this year and distributed them to 58 families. They also manage the "Adopt-a-Family Program" where individuals and businesses can help i

L-R: Terri Ellis, Platteville Optimist Club President presents a check to Jaqueline Varholik, representing "Christmas For Kids" Jaqueline Varholik accepted a check from the Platteville Optimist Club for "Christmas For Kids". Jaquie reported that have exceeded their goal in 2025 by 50 kids and that they will be helping 400 children in Southwest Wisconsin this Christmas. They recently opened a "shop program" (similar to "Adopt-A-Family") and they have two locations now where

Marcia Russell from the Platteville Children's Choir accepts a $350 check from Terri Ellis, President of Platteville Optimist Club. Marcia reported that there are over 80 students in the choir this year. This is the highest number they've had since the pre-covid years.

L-R: Kimberly Schmitz VanDee, Executive Program Director of Family Connections, and Optimist Secretary, Jerry Schewe Kimberly Schmitz...

Stephanie Saager-Bourret, volunteer for the Platteville Historic Re-enactment, accepts a check from Jerry Schewe of the Platteville...

L-R: Optimist Vice President Terri Ellis and Sarah Digman The Platteville Optimist Club awarded a $300 grant to Sarah Digman from the...

L-R: Grant County Social Services-Service Support Specialist Lisa Sanger and Platteville Optimist Club President Bob Hundhausen Lisa...

L-R: Melissa Palfrey, Optimist President Bob Hundhausen, and Kira Reyna Melissa Palfrey and Kira Reyna accepted a $1,000 donation on...

L-R: CESA 3 Project Search/NVCI Trailer Jim Nelson and Platteville Optimist President Bob Hundhausen Jim Nelson accepted a $500...

L-R: Platteville Special Olympics Financial Manager Beth Flesch and Optimist President Bob Hundhausen Beth Flesch accepted a $500...

L-R: Optimist President Bob Hundhausen and PCA Treasurer Dianne Jentz Dianne Jentz accepted a $250 donation to help the PCA continue...