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 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

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 St. Andrews Optimist Club’s speaker for September 9 was Rhonda Hunsinger, Executive Director for the South Carolina Philharmonic. This is the Philharmonic’s 58th season. Hunsinger having served it for the past 25 of those years. The 2022/23 Masterworks series of performances, all to be held at the Koger CenterContinue Reading

The Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo is a service club that seeks to benefit the youth of the community. Two fundraisers provide the funds for Optimists’ giving activities: the Optimist Club Christmas Tree Lot and the annual Optimist Club Golf Tournament. Neither of those fundraisers would be a success withoutContinue Reading

Founded by its namesake in 1972 and located in Lexington County, Nancy K. Perry Children’s Shelter is the oldest institution of its kind in South Carolina. The Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo has partnered with the Shelter for several years and heard an update from Ryan Taylor, the Shelter’s DirectorContinue Reading

The speaker for the August 19 meeting of St. Andrews Optimists was Daniel Rendelman. The speaker is an author, publisher, and lecturer who delivered a message on gratitude. Drawing from his book “An Appreciation Awakening,” Rendelman spoke about approaching life’s situations with a thankful attitude. In his experience, adopting thatContinue Reading

Omega Psi Phi is a service fraternity that seeks to influence young boys and men in a positive way to propel to positive futures. On August 5, three members of the Omega Phi Chapter gave a presentation to the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo. Although the fraternity begins membership duringContinue Reading

On July 22, Everette Sands was the featured speaker at the breakfast meeting of the Optimist Club of St. Andrews-Irmo. Sands is a veteran football coach who also is ranked Number 2 all-time at The Citadel in career rushing yardage. Sands related that during his football coaching career, he hadContinue Reading

On July 15, St. Andrews Optimists met and heard from Meera Bhonsle, the 2022 Miss South Carolina USA title holder. Bhonsle will compete in the Miss USA pageant which could lead to the Miss Universe pageant. She is a Lexington High School and USC graduate, who rose to her presentContinue Reading