Serve & Connect, a Columbia-based non-profit organization, is marking the seventh anniversary of its Greg’s Groceries program. Launched in 2017, Greg’s Groceries provides police departments with boxes of non-perishable food to distribute to individuals and families in need. The program is named in honor of Forest Acres Police Officer GregContinue Reading
On February 2, the St. Andrews Optimists were honored to welcome South Carolina State Representative Chris Wooten as their guest speaker. Representing House District 69, which covers the town of Lexington and a significant section of the County, Wooten engaged the audience with his insights and priorities. A Marine veteran,Continue Reading
Irmo, SC – Cleo Floyd-Johnstone, a compassionate 9th-grade student at Dutch Fork High School, took the initiative to organize a cancer fundraiser for the non-profit organization “In the Middle.” In the Middle is dedicated to raising funds for breast cancer, providing support to individuals who fall in the middle-income bracketContinue Reading
The St. Andrews Optimist Club recently welcomed representatives from Children’s Garden, a program overseen by Vital Connections of the Midlands. The informative session featured Anita Robinson, Director of Children’s Garden, Althea Benson, Education Manager, and John Brown, Executive Director of Vital Connections. Children’s Garden, supported by the Optimist Club inContinue Reading
Turning Pages SC, a nonprofit dedicated to adult literacy, is pleased to introduce its newly appointed board leadership team. The organization, committed to advancing adult literacy, looks forward to the guidance and expertise of the following individuals: Kara Cieri – Chair of the Board: A literacy professional from Richland Library,Continue Reading
The Optimist Club of St. Andrews was privileged to host a presentation by South Carolina State House Representative Chris Wooten during their weekly meeting on Monday, January 29. The event took place in the Steve Padgett Honda building, providing an ideal setting for community engagement. Representative Wooten shared insights intoContinue Reading
Students from the Celebrate Freedom Foundation (CFF) recently took flight, not in the skies, but in the Lockheed Martin F-16 flight simulation project. Hosted at the South Carolina Statehouse, this hands-on experience marked a historic collaboration between the education and aerospace industries, giving students an exclusive opportunity to engage withContinue Reading
Senior Resources and the Lourie Center hosted an open house showcasing the Lourie Center, a wellness center for active adults 50 years and older who want to improve their lifestyle, learn new skills, and make new friends. Senior Resources and the Lourie Center unified in August 2023. The energy ofContinue Reading
Recognizing the positive impact of animal interaction on children with special needs, particularly with dogs and horses, the St. Andrews Optimists recently enjoyed an enlightening presentation from Dream Riders. This therapeutic horse riding experience is situated at Sunrise Farm in Lexington. Presenters Jennifer Stoudemire, Head Riding Instructor and Program Director,Continue Reading
On January 15, seven dedicated members of the St. Andrews Woman’s Club engaged in a day of service in honor of Martin Luther King Jr. at Palmetto Animal Assisted Living Services (PAALS). The group, consisting of Shelly Langston, Kim Julin, Lynne Hauptner, Mary North, Anne Marie Shepherd, and Kaye Hunke,Continue Reading
Julius Scott, the Community Support Coordinator for District 5, was the featured speaker at the Optimist Club of St. Andrews’ meeting on January 5. In his role as a “department of one,” Scott outlined the district’s mission to “love and grow our students,” emphasizing the challenges faced by young peopleContinue Reading