To the editor: In recognition of Optimist Day, the first Thursday in February, the New Ulm Optimist Club would like to remind our community that optimism is alive and well in New Ulm! The current pandemic has brought so many challenges to all areas of our lives. It has changed how our Optimist Club offers opportunities, how we fund youth projects, and even how we interact with each other. But these changes can be channeled into opportunities that positively impact the youth in our community – our main focus. The first sentence in the Optimist Creed says that we will, “Promise yourself to be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind.” Despite closures, restrictions, and even revenue loss, the New Ulm Optimist Club continues to fund various youth centered efforts, such as scholarship for seniors at all three high schools, oratorical and essay contests, winter clothing drives, and STEM initiatives at the local schools. We were able to support community projects such as Adopt a Family, Jaycee’s Christmas basket drive, and the New Ulm Food Shelf to name just a few. Optimists recognize that young people are the hope of tomorrow. That is why the main focus of support is for projects that directly benefit the youth of our community.