The Junior League of Columbia recently joined McGregor Presbyterian Church and the Optimist Club of St. Andrews to provide meals for underprivileged children in Lexington Richland 5.

League members prepared 180 snack packs for the students in seven schools at the church earlier this month. The snack packs are intended to provide nutritious foods during the weekend when other food sources may be limited.

“One of our primary focus areas this year is healthy children,” Junior League of Columbia president, Mary Kay Owens, said. “In teaming up with these outstanding community partners, we are able to provide healthy snack options to children in need.”

The students receiving the snack packs were identified by social workers and teachers. Many of those students’ parents have either lost jobs or are living below the poverty line.

“It’s our job to respond to this critical need in our community," said Optimist Club member Stuart Stout. “We are thrilled to see organizations like the Junior League and churches like McGregor want to step in and fill this need with us.”

McGregor Presbyterian Church pastor Rev. Julie Walkup Bird applauded the efforts of the two groups and urged others in the community to help combat hunger.

“We are called to take care of those in need, and this is our opportunity to do so,” McGregor said. “We often take for granted how much we really have, so to be able to give to those less fortunate is an incredible blessing.”

For more information on community volunteer opportunities, visit info@jlcolumbia.org.

School lessons in generosity

Camden Middle School students recently collected more than 1,000 jeans for Midlands-area homeless shelters through a campaign sponsored by Aeropostale Stores and Dosomething.org.

During the two-week project led by the school’s cheerleading squad, the students went through their closets and collected clean, used jeans and encouraged others to do the same.

A dance for the children

Hundreds of University of South Carolina students will dance the night away this weekend at the Strom Thurmond Wellness and Fitness Center to raise money for Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital.

Dance Marathon is the largest student-led philanthropy event in the state and is expected to attract more than 900 dancers and volunteers.

The annual 24-hour event has raised more than $1 million since 1999, including $177,000 last year. All proceeds go to Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital, a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital that treats more than 80,000 children each year.

“Dance Marathon is so important to me and the USC community because it has a lasting impact on everyone involved,” said Jillian Kral, this year’s director. “Dance Marathon has the power to not only engage Carolinians to take part in our mission to save children’s lives and give them hope, but to empower students across campus to challenge themselves and be a part of something bigger.”