Pioneering Puslinch volunteer brings optimism to Optimist Club

PUSLINCH – Andrea Miljkovic doesn’t think of herself as a pioneer, but she is the first female member of the Optimist Club of Puslinch.

As the club celebrates its 50th anniversary this year, many of its members are reflecting on the club’s history and achievements.

Miljkovic lived and worked in Kitchener-Waterloo and for a long time belonged to the Lions Club there.

She and her husband moved to Puslinch in 2002, had a daughter in 2006 and found the commute was just too much and her time too scarce to continue her work with the Lions.

But she was committed to community work and when her daughter was a bit older, she started to investigate what service clubs were close to home.

She found the Optimist Club of Puslinch, had a chat with club member Don McKay, “and I liked what I saw. So I applied and was approved.

“He didn’t mention that I was the first female applicant,” Miljkovic said with a laugh. “I was surprised to learn that.”

It wasn’t too long before a second woman joined, “and now we’re seeing more balance that way,” she said. 

“Women bring different skills and balance to the team. And I didn’t feel intimidated or anything. I just wanted to give back.”

That was 2013, and by 2015 she was a board member and head of the Canada Day committee. July 1 celebrations are a big event for the club to put on and an event that really brings the community together.

Held at the Puslinch Community Centre, there’s usually a free pancake breakfast, games and events for the kids, as well as music and, in the evening, a fireworks show that attracts people from near and far.

Miljkovic is proud of the fact the event is free. Most of the club’s events are free and that’s important, because life is expensive and it shouldn’t cost an arm and a leg to get together with neighbours and get to know the community, she said.

Like many service clubs, the membership is aging. The Puslinch club is always looking for new members and is happy to accept help from folks who want to volunteer for a single event.

Miljkovic said she likes that the members are professionals or retired professionals who bring their work skills to projects.

“There’s tremendous leadership and like-minded people who want to give back to the community. I like the focus on youth. That’s what keeps me going,” she said.

She also likes how nimble the club is, how it was able to pivot events during COVID-19 lockdowns and how it manages to overcome obstacles.

And she gave a shout-out to the wives of the membership when it was still an all-male club.

“They ran the kitchen; they did the food. They contributed so much to events and planning,” she said.

“I might be the first female in the club, but the backbone is the wives of members.”

It’s good for children to see adults giving their time and expertise to club events, she said, adding her own daughter often helped out at events. 

“We come out to give back; to volunteer for a good cause. In doing that we are mentoring (our children) and instilling the spirit of volunteering,” she said.