For nearly 35 years, the Mehlville Optimist Club has set up shop on the corner of Lemay Ferry Road and Mehl Avenue for their annual BBQ fundraiser. The club served more 1,200 people Friday and Saturday. 

"Our fundraisers usually put us around $15,000 over the amount we need to run our operations," said Mehlville Optimist President Milt Lane. "That money is all given back to student organizations and to United Way and to families in our community that the Salvation Army helps us to connect with."

At their next event, the Mehlville Optimist Club will honor a South County Police Officer as a part of Respect For Law Week, on May 18 at 7 a.m. at Gingham's Restaurant on South Lindbergh Boulevard.