A trio representing South Carolina Youth Challenge Academy (SCYCA) spoke recently to the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo at its breakfast meeting. SCYCA is a program supported by the National Guard and uses several elements of a military level training in order to launch young people on a path toContinue Reading
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
Captain Heidi Jackson, representing Richland County Sheriff’s School Resource Officer Division, spoke February 14 to the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo. Jackson has spent 26 years in law enforcement, 24 of them as an investigator. Her topic was the prevalence of sex trafficking, Richland County ranking first in South CarolinaContinue Reading
The St. Andrews Optimist Club welcomed Adam Feeney as their guest speaker at the February 21 breakfast meeting, where he shared exciting details about the remodeling of Anchor Lanes on Lake Murray Boulevard. Feeney, a 2012 University of South Carolina graduate with a concentration in Finance, detailed the extensive renovationsContinue Reading
On February 7, the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo welcomed as speaker Dr. Kaaren Wells Hampton. Hampton is the Principal of Irmo High School International School for the Arts. Highlights of Hampton’s presentation included a snapshot of the school’s current status and a look into future projects and goals. Hampton previouslyContinue 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
A team representing Lexington-Richland School District 5 presented the District’s enhanced mentoring programs to the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo on October 25. For many years, District 5 has sponsored a program of mentoring individual students. Those students are normally identified and recommended by their teachers and guidance counselors. InContinue Reading
On October 18, Doug Polen, Assistant Town Administrator for the Town of Irmo, shared insights on Irmo’s future development with the St. Andrews Optimists. Drawing from his previous experience with Moncks Corner, Polen emphasized Irmo’s goal to become a distinct and desirable community, separate from larger cities’ influence. In recentContinue Reading
The Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo celebrated their 2024 Day of Giving at Seven Oaks Park October 11. Each year the members raise funds for youth programs and foundations in the greater Irmo community by selling Christmas trees and handmade wreaths at McGregor Presbyterian Church during the holidays, the AnnualContinue Reading