On April 11, the St. Andrews Optimist Club welcomed Heather Pagan, Survivor Support Director for Lighthouse for Life, to share an update on the organization’s mission and its impact in the community. Lighthouse for Life focuses on rescuing victims of sex trafficking and, through Pagan’s role, helps restore survivors toContinue Reading
IRMO, S.C. – The Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo welcomed guest speaker Randy Rush, Executive Director of The Courage Center in Lexington, during its breakfast meeting on March 14. Rush shared the center’s multifaceted approach to helping individuals and families struggling with substance use and addiction. The Courage Center focusesContinue Reading
St. Andrews Woman’s Club GFWC volunteers picked up trash along St. Andrews Road February 8. Pictured right to left: Mary North, Barbara Williams, Gail Elfert, and Kaye HunkeContinue Reading
Troop 91 from the Irmo area participated in the Scouting for Food drive to help restock the shelves of Sharing God’s Love Food Bank in Irmo. Sharing God’s Love received more than 1895 pounds of food items and cash donations of almost $700. “Troop 91 has helped to fill-up ourContinue Reading
On December 1, Angela Valvasori, representing Westinghouse SURE, presented a generous $1,300 donation to Liz Harris of Seven Oaks Presbyterian Church. Westinghouse SURE, an organization of retired Westinghouse employees, is dedicated to supporting local charities through community involvement. The donation will directly aid Seven Oaks Presbyterian’s mission to provide warm,Continue Reading
Ryan Taylor, Executive Director of the Nancy K. Perry Children’s Shelter, spoke to the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo on November 15. Taylor, pictured with speaker sponsor Steve Odom, received a copy of the Optimist Creed during the meeting. The Nancy K. Perry Children’s Shelter, located in Lexington County, providesContinue Reading
St. Andrews Optimists welcomed speaker Doug Renew, Chief Investigator for the South Carolina Secretary of State’s Office November 8. An early ‘90s graduate of Irmo High School, Renew spoke about scams that proliferate during the Holidays. All the scams target unsuspecting victims in order to separate those victims from theirContinue Reading
The St. Andrews Rotary Club recently welcomed Gavin Brown, Vice President of Advancement at Midlands Housing Alliance, as their guest speaker. Brown oversees fundraising and community development for Transitions Homeless Center, a key resource for the homeless population in the Midlands. With over a decade of experience in both for-profitContinue Reading
On August 9, Amy Reeves, Director of Community Relations for Mission Lexington, spoke to the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo, offering insights into the organization’s vital role in supporting Lexington County residents in crisis. Founded in 1976 and inspired by the teachings of Matthew 25:40, Mission Lexington provides essential servicesContinue Reading
Richland County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), an organization dedicated to advocating for abused and neglected children, recently benefited from a generous donation of school supplies through its back-to-school drive. These supplies will help ensure that the children CASA supports are well-prepared for the upcoming school year.Continue Reading
On July 26, Julie Giglio, representing Midlands Orphan Relief (M.O.R.), spoke to the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo, shedding light on the organization’s mission to support orphans and at-risk children. Giglio explained that M.O.R. considers “any child who is left behind is effectively an orphan,” emphasizing the broad scope ofContinue Reading