A group of Cayce Elementary students were treated to a special holiday shopping trip Tuesday night. Not only did the students receive $150 gift cards to shop with at Academy Sports + Outdoors, but they got to hang out with some celebrity guest shoppers – members of the University of South Carolina football and women’s soccer teams. 

The shopping trip was made possible by the Garnet Trust Foundation and Original Design, a non-profit organization launched in 2020 by former USC football player Jay Urich, whose goal is to “give children opportunities to thrive in all aspects of life by using faith, football, life skills, and health education,” according to the group’s website.  The Cayce Elementary student shoppers are part of Urich’s Original Design program.

Cayce Elementary Principal Andrew Drozdak said the Original Design program makes a difference. 

“Jay has been working with the students of the Midlands to help provide them with positive life experiences and to provide them with a trusted mentor as a part of their program,” Drozdak said.  “Cayce Elementary is so happy to have been able to be part this opportunity.”