Cayce-West Columbia Lions take kids on shopping spree for clothes, smiles abound
March 18, 2019||Comments Off on Cayce-West Columbia Lions take kids on shopping spree for clothes, smiles abound|NEWS
Members of the Cayce-West Columbia Lions Club accounted for some smiles earlier this month. The Lions took 15 students from Springdale Elementary School on a shopping spree.
“To see see the look on the kids’ faces told us how much they appreciated it,” said Charlene Frye, Lion Club secretary.
She said the students were recommended for the chance to spend $150 by the school’s guidance counselor.
“You don’t know what these kids are dealing with,” said Frye. “We just know it’s good to see them happy.”
Chris Pricenor, who organized the trip to the West Columbia Walmart, said each student got $150 to spend. “They spent $130 on clothes, and they got $20 to buy themselves something,” said Frye. She explained why the Lions too the children.
“We want them to know someone is concerned about them and the situations some of them are in,” she said. “The Lions also wanted to project good role models.”
Pricenor said he is involved with various fundraisers, but the Lions’ shopping trip is the most fulfilling. “You get the see the kids’ face and it puts the funds to use in our own back yard,” he said.
Adults dropping off the children hugged Lions Club members, and some shed tears of gratitude, Pricenor said. “They were overwhelmed. It was beautiful.”
In addition to the trip to the store, the Lions bought breakfast and lunch for the students. The Cayce Woman’s Club also took a student on a $150 shopping trip with the others.
The Lion’s have been conducting the spending trips for seven years. C-WC Lions Club President Bill Mooneyhan said “It’s the most-rewarding thing we do.”
C-WC Lions accompanying the students on the trip were: Matthew Hodges; Charlene Frye; Jim Hofer; Randy Klapman; Edna Holton; Oliver Moore; Glenn Matthews; Steve Wingard; John Anderson; Bryant Herring; Jay Littlejohn; and Chris Pricenor.