Ebonee Clark, from Dickerson Children’s Advocacy Center (DCAC), was the featured speaker at the January 6 meeting of the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo. Clark is the Assistant Director for Advocacy at the Center in Lexington.  DCAC serves children, aged from infancy to 18 years old, who have experienced someContinue Reading

The Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo made club history on December 9 when it inducted George Schodowski into its membership. In its 50-plus years of existence, Schodowski is the youngest member ever inducted. Pictured are Don Keating who administered the oath of membership, Club President Larry Blosser, Schodowski, and sponsorContinue Reading

At the St. Andrews Optimists’ December 9 meeting, Councilman Bill Danielson unveiled an aerial diagram of the current proposed project to connect Woodrow Street with Irmo Town Park. The diagram overlaid the property parcels that will have to be bought in that process. If those properties are acquired then landContinue Reading

Erinn Rowe, CEO of Harvest Hope Food Bank, spoke on November 11 to the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo. She gave the group the background context for the need for Harvest Hope and provided insight into facts and figures that affect the organization’s work. With distribution centers in Columbia, Florence,Continue Reading

The Toys For Tots program is continuing. Donation boxes will be available through December 2.Look for donation boxes in a business near you and make your contribution of a new, unwrapped toy that will be shared with families in the community. The Toys For Tots program has grown tremendously sinceContinue Reading

The Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo recently received a presentation from Dr. Lila Anna Sauls, CEO of Homeless No More. The organization’s focus is on families in Richland County that are homeless when contacted. The families must include at least one child. Within the County there are more than 1,600Continue Reading

The Lake Murray-Irmo Rotary’s Student of the Month is Irmo Elementary 5th grader Denis Fatnik. Principal Shannon Fincannon said, “Denis was selected unanimously by all the 5th-grade teachers at Irmo. He is a role model for other students and leads by serving others.”Continue Reading

A county organization that serves children in foster care is calling on the business community to help bring young people some holiday joy. Richland County Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is giving local businesses the chance to adopt a child through its Angel Tree program. Richland County CASA volunteers serveContinue Reading

On September 30, the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo heard a presentation from two members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity’s Columbia Chapter.  Kappa Alpha Psi is a service fraternity that begins with college-age men and then involves them in community service long after their graduation.  The purpose of the fraternityContinue Reading

Don Keating, long-time member of the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo, administers the oath of membership to Morgan Leath, the Club’s newest member.  Pictured to the right is Kerry Powers, who sponsored Leath.Continue Reading

The Junior League of Columbia (JLC) has awarded a total of $50,000 to Greater Midlands non-profits that proposed transformational projects and initiatives addressing poverty and basic needs of children and families in the Midlands. This year’s Community Impact Grant Recipients are: • Central SC Habitat for Humanity received $30,000, •Continue Reading