Submitted Photo Shown at the check presentation are, from left, Mike Buseth, Optimist 2nd vice president; Jason Soine, Optimist board member/fundraising chair; Candace Brekke, Optimist past president/fundraising chair; Wendy Keller, MCDC interim executive director; Mark Lyman, MCDC board president.

The Optimist Club of Minot presented a donation of $10,000 to the Magic City Discovery Center on Wednesday. Through a variety of fundraising efforts the past two years, the Optimists have reached their goal to provide a substantial donation toward the future discovery center.

“Our club’s mission is to create opportunities for area youth throughout our community, and we believe MCDC’s mission aligns perfectly with our efforts,” said Candace Brekke, past president. “We are thrilled that our community will have this fantastic center and look forward to all the benefits it will provide to our youth and those visiting Minot.”

“The Optimist Club was one of our first supporters during the interim phase at the Dakota Territory Air Museum and we truly appreciate this donation that will help us build our awesome new year-round discovery center,” said Wendy Keller, interim executive director for the Magic City Discovery Center.

Along with this donation, the Minot Optimist has announced launch of a multi-year investment to the community through the local Minot Optimist Club BIG GIVE initiative. Applications will be available to area non-profits to apply for future funding, up to $50,000.

The Minot Optimist Club has been “Bringing Out the Best in Kids” since 1978. Club members meet every Wednesday at noon at the Parker Senior Center in downtown Minot.