The Columbia Missouri Cosmo Story began in 1947, when a group of World War II veterans under the direction of J. W. Ficklin, a Columbia grocer, decided to start a new Community Service Organization. After investigating a number of clubs, they decided on the COSMOPOLITAN INTERNATIONAL CLUB with clubs in Canada, Mexico, and United States.
    The original club, called Columbia COSMO LUNCHEON Club, was chartered in April 1947 as an all-male classification club with 53 members. J. W. Ficklin served as its first president. UNITY, SERVICE and ACTION have been the keys to the success of the Club. The addition of the work COMMITMENT has been an additional factor in the success of the COSMO LUNCHEON CLUB in our community.

1940's

    The ending of the decade of the 1940's-1947, 1948, and 1949 saw the organization of the club and its auxiliary "COSMO PALS" - COSMO member's wives. The planning of COSMO PARK was begun; a lease was signed by Cosmos and the CITY OF COLUMBIA for 35 acres of land adjacent to the old City Airport. Groundbreaking was on April 12, 1949 and completion and dedication of COSMO PARK was on August 21, 1949. About 10,000 people were in attendance. The club received Letters of Incorporation from the State of Missouri in May 1949.

1950's

    The 1950s saw the main focus of the club being the further development and improvements in purchasing and installation of playground equipment. DEXHEIMER SHELTER HOUSE was built by the Cosmos and the first JULY FOURTH CELEBRATION was held in COSMO PARK (1952).
    The Big Bands came to Columbia under the auspices of the Columbia COSMO LUNCHEON Club. We rented Stephens College Auditorium and hired the Benny Goodman Band and Louis Armstrong for a money making project. We paid the band $4,000 in advance for two performances: charged $3 admission and after paying all expenses, made a profit of $92.80. Even though we did not make much money, we had a lot of fun and the people who attended had a great time.
    The Cosmos and the Junior Chamber of Commerce members financed and built the first nine holes of the Municipal Golf Course (L.A. Nickel), members often worked in the evenings and on weekends.
    When the State of Missouri built Highway 1-70, some of the land at COSMO PARK was taken for right of way and some of the playground equipment had to be moved. The City of Columbia received $14,500 for damages, which they gave to the Cosmos to be spent in the PARK. New lighting was installed, roadways were paved, playground equipment moved and some new equipment was purchased; all at a cost of $14,100; plus volunteer labor from the Cosmos.
    BURFORD SHELTER HOUSE in Cosmo Park was completed. First PANCAKE and SAUSAGE DAY - 1952, held in the Basement Missouri Methodist Church at 65 cents per ticket.

1960's

    The 1960s saw a variety of activities, including: COSMO and OPTIMIST Clubs each donated $5,000 (total $10,000) to build the COLUMBIA ATHLETIC CLUB building in the Municipal Golf Course area. It was to be used by the Parks and Rec. Dept. for Boxing and Wrestling. (Now used for maintenance).
    Dogs trained for Police work were purchased and donated to the City Police Department (three dogs in 1961 and 1962. Incidentally the Club purchased and donated two more trained dogs in 1994-1995, (one to the City Police and one to Boone County Sheriff's office).
    In 1962 "AUNT JEMIMA" was in Columbia to help us with COSMO PANCAKE and SAUSAGE DAY. We served 3,100 even though we had snow and ice on the ground. COSMO BREAKFAST CLUB was sponsored by the Luncheon Club in 1962. The COSMO JEFF CITY CLUB was sponsored by the Luncheon Club in 1963.
    COSMO COMMUNITY REHABILITATION CENTER was being studied and investigated by the club. The purpose was to provide training skills for adult handicapped and disabled persons. After two years of surveys and investigation, the Club received approval from the State of Missouri and was licensed to operate such a facility. In February 1967 the center was opened with 25-30 clients with Bob Daugherty as manager. The total cost to Cosmos was $12,000. The facility is now known as Advent Enterprises, which operates on over a million dollar a year budget today.

1970's

    The decade of the 1970s, found the Cosmos still involved in community affairs. Frank Lamb Shelter house was built and dedicated in November 1970. The COSMO'S built four tennis courts at COSMO PARK. The Cosmo's built a new restroom facility at COSMO PARK, Some of the members dug the trenches and installed over 700 feet of 8" sewer pipe.
    The treatment and cure of DIABETES was being studied by COSMO INTERNATIONAL as a worthwhile project for the Clubs to be involved in. After years of surveys and studies, COSMO INTERNATIONAL and the UNIVERSITY of MISSOURI signed a legal agreement to build a DIABETES CENTER at the UNIVERSITY of MISSOURI HOSPITAL, Columbia, Missouri. A fund drive was started by COSMO INTERNATIONAL to raise $1 million.
    The JULY 4TH CELEBRATION in 1976 was moved from COSMO PARK to University of Missouri Faurot Field where more than 20,000 people viewed the display from the stands.
    In 1979 there was a proposal before the City Council to sell part of COSMO PARK for a shopping center. This move was blocked by the Cosmos and the CITIZENS OF COLUMBIA: Some of the Council Members favored the proposal.

1980's

    The 1980s provided the Cosmos an opportunity to expand their community service by providing money to finance additional projects. The Luncheon Club and Breakfast Club received one of the first licenses from the State of Missouri to operate a BINGO Game. The first game was held October 14, 1981 at the Flaming Pit Restaurant. The first year of BINGO resulted in a net profit to the Luncheon Club of approximately $40,000. Most of which was donated to the DIABETES CENTER FUND. DIABETES CENTER groundbreaking ceremony was October 1981, construction continued into 1982-83, with completion and dedication in November 1983.
    In COSMO PARK we built the JIM GARRISON SHELTER HOUSE adjacent to the Horse Shoe Pits and Tennis Courts.
    With COSMO PARK nearly completed the Club in 1984 agreed to develop a park on 40 acres of land owned by City of Columbia, adjacent to Rock Bridge High School. The Park was named COSMO-BETHEL PARK, The club committed to donate $75,000 to be spent in the park over a five-year period. The club committed to furnish volunteer labor by members for projects approved by the City Parks Department. In August 1984, the club donated $10,200 to purchase playground equipment and materials. In April 1985 an additional $13,500 was donated for COSMO BETHEL PARK.
    The Club donated $7,000 to Boone County Historical Society for construction. Since that original donation the club has provided funds for seven walnut benches, educational video of the Museum and a video security system for the Montminy Gallery at BCHS museum.
    COSMO LUNCHEON CLUB in 1989 initiated Beverly Braun as the First Woman member. She later served as President in 1995-1996.
    In order to guarantee future funds for community projects, the club started a COSMO COMMUNITY FUND. We now have over $200,000 in this fund, we use interest received (approximately $12,000 per year) to provide donations to not-for-profit organizations in our community that qualify. After about ten years of planning and discussions, the club decided to build their own building to be used for their many activities. The Luncheon and Breakfast Clubs pooled their funds and labor to accomplish this job on a 75/25 percent basis. In July 1989 a vacant lot was purchased and an architectural firm hired to draw plans.
    On October 15, 1989, the COSMOS dedicated the COSMO-BETHEL PARK to the citizens of Columbia; over $60,000 had been donated by the club for the purchase of materials, equipment and landscaping. Many hours of COSMO volunteer labor had been used in the PARK Project.

1990's

    March 15, 1990-ground breaking and construction started on the COSMO COMMUNITY CENTER. August 1990 the building is completed and ready for use. The first BINGO Game was held in the new building on October 21, 1990.
    VETERANS WAR MEMORIAL in both COSMOPOLITAN PARK and COSMO-BETHEL PARK were dedicated on Veterans Day, November 11, 1991. Included were Flags, Flag Poles and Bronze Plaques, Honoring ALL VETERANS of ALL WARS.
    In April of 1997 we celebrated our 50th Anniversary.

2000's

2000 the new millineum will present new challenges for a new generation. We hope to be here for the next 50 years plus many more.

Remember we can do nothing to change the past. We can do everything to determine the future.