Lake of the Ozarks Idiots Club Inc

The Lake of the Ozarks Idiots Club Inc. is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization located in Osage Beach, Missouri. It was founded by Denny and Danna Hiner, both retired educators, who recognized the significant needs of children living in poverty within the Lake of the Ozarks community.

Mission

The club's mission is to improve the self-esteem of in-need children by providing them with basic necessities and enabling participation in school or community activities. This organization is entirely volunteer-run, ensuring that all resources are directed towards supporting children.

Services and Impact

The Lake of the Ozarks Idiots Club provides a wide range of services and goods to support underprivileged children. These include:

• Clothing and Hygiene Products: Provision of new clothes and essential hygiene items.
• Educational Support: Supplying school activity fees, equipment for extracurricular activities (like track and football shoes, band instruments, art supplies), and dual credit scholarships for high school students.
• Wellness and Nutrition: Offering dental and eye care, weekend food packs (Buddy Packs), and other health-related services.

As of early 2024, the organization had provided over 53,000 instances of assistance and spent more than $1.25 million on supporting children in need.

Community Partnerships

The club works closely with five local school districts (Camdenton, Climax Springs, Eldon, Macks Creek, and School of the Osage) and various social agencies to identify and address the needs of poverty-stricken children. Requests are typically made by professionals directly involved with these children, ensuring a targeted and effective approach to support. To maintain confidentiality, the organization does not work directly with parents or children but instead collaborates through these intermediaries.

Financial Support

The organization relies on donations and community contributions to fund its operations. Local businesses also provide significant support through fundraising efforts and discounts on goods and services used to assist the children.

Challenges in the Community

The Lake of the Ozarks area faces significant challenges related to child poverty. More than half of the children in this region live below the federal poverty line, underscoring the critical role organizations like the Idiots Club play in addressing these issues.

The idiosyncratic name of the organization, "Idiots Club," is intended to capture attention and emphasize the Jesters of Goodwill approach, which aims to bring awareness and support for helping children in need.