By Rick Abercrombie St. Andrews Optimists welcome a variety of speakers over the course of a typical year, and many of those guests address topics that relate to interaction with the youth of the community. Jerry Dean Pate, who for many years was a Columbia radio and television personality, recountedContinue Reading
By Rick Abercrombie Representing Homeworks of America, local Executive Director Madelyn Smith spoke to St. Andrews Optimists October 10. The Optimists have partnered with Homeworks for several years and donate hands-on and financial support to the organization’s efforts. Smith oversees the work of both the Columbia and Lowcountry locations. Self-describedContinue Reading
By Rick Abercrombie On September 26, the Optimist Club of St. Andrews held its annual Day of Giving at the Seven Oaks Park meeting facility. Club President Gary Boyd emceed the event. Through its two annual fundraisers, St. Andrews Optimists earn funds that are donated back to entities that directlyContinue Reading
By Rick Abercrombie Two representatives from the South Carolina Department of Transportation spoke to St. Andrews Optimists September 19. Adriane Radeker, Public Outreach Manager, provided some historical background, leading up to current projects in motion and future plans. Derek Frick, Construction Engineer, added insights about the technical aspects of thoseContinue Reading
By Rick Abercrombie On behalf of the ClothesBin national organization, local representative Cale Lewis spoke September 9 to St. Andrews Optimists. The stated mission of ClothesBin is to keep clothing and shoes out of landfills, which at present, are the ultimate destination of 87 percent of all textile waste. Nationally,Continue Reading
By Rick Abercrombie Town of Irmo Mayor Bill Danelson spoke September 5 to the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo. Danielson’s purpose was to introduce a new benevolent cause: The Mayor’s Uplift Initiative. Recognizing the presence of poverty and hunger in the community, an anonymous donor recently approached Danielson with theContinue Reading
By Rick Abercrombie In a recent visit to the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo, Mark Smyers, Executive Director of Irmo-Chapin Recreation Commission, updated the audience on the status of development of the Saluda Shoals Greenway. The Greenway is ultimately a project that will flow from the Dam to a connectionContinue Reading
By Rick Abercrombie Victoria McKenna, Director of Development for Ezekiel Ministries, spoke August 8 to the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo. Ezekiel enjoys financial and in-person support from more than 40 local churches. Its inspiration comes from Ezekiel 37:10; “So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered them;Continue Reading
By Rick Abercrombie On August 1, St. Andrews Optimists hosted Nick Charalambous, Donor Relations Officer for Oliver Gospel Mission. Charalambous recounted the history of the Mission and outlined its current services to the Midlands. Oliver Gospel Mission traces its origin back to 1888, when Rev. Robert Oliver purchased property onContinue Reading
By Rick Abercrombie St. Andrews Optimists recently enjoyed a presentation by City Year Columbia. The speaker was Trey Glenham, Director of Development. City Year serves as the local hands and feet of AmeriCorps and is one of 30 such extensions of the parent organization. The statistical fact of life thatContinue Reading
By Rick Abercrombie The June 24 speakers at the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo were representatives from Palmetto Foundation for Prevention and Recovery. The Foundation focuses on the presence of opioid use and abuse in the Irmo/Chapin community. Having lost his son Chase to an accidental opioid overdose, Bruce Loveless,Continue Reading