The motto of the Optimist International organization and that of St. Andrews Optimists locally is “Friend of Youth.” Much—if not all— of the local Club’s focus is on interacting with people who work with youth and on raising funds to support those organizations. In that vein, the Club welcomed Dr.Continue Reading
Central Carolina Community Foundation awarded $370,000 to 14 organizations this year through its Connected Communities grant. The 14 nonprofits will launch projects that improve the quality of life in the midlands by building a more livable, equitable and just community to live, work, play and raise a family. In itsContinue Reading
St. Andrews Optimists’ February 3 speaker was Floyd Lyles, Superintendent of Education at The Department of Juvenile Justice. Lyles attended Benedict College where he credits a professor who saw much potential in him and who became a source of encouragement. Finishing Benedict with his Bachelor’s Degree, he completed his postgraduateContinue Reading
In observance of Martin Luther King Day, some members of the St. Andrews Woman’s Club volunteered at PAALS for the day. The ladies helped the facility get ready for the building to be painted.Continue Reading
On January 20, St. Andrews Optimists welcomed Samantha Huff from the Multiplying Good organization as its featured speaker. Huff’s official title is Manager, Community Events and Special Programs. Multiplying Good was founded in 1972 as a collaboration between Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Senator Robert Taft Jr., and Sam Beard. The ideaContinue Reading
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