By Cloey Harris, CHS Sophomore
CoverLEAF Foundation, The Clover Jaycees, The Optimist Club, The River Hills/Lake Wylie Lions Club, and the Clover and Lake Wylie Rotary Clubs are all service-driven organizations willing to step up in our community. Even though these groups are different and have varying approaches and goals, they all share the common objective of improving our community in some way. From pancake suppers, glasses for students in need, to grants for local schools and running the concession stand at Memorial Stadium, each organization raises funds that go directly back into our community. If you are interested in joining one of these organizations or supporting their efforts, read more about them below. Clover Leaders for Educational Advancement Foundation (LEAF) According to Stephanie Knott, Director of Marketing for Clover School District, Clover LEAF is best known for providing grants to teachers for innovative classroom projects. In the past year, however, the organization has begun to branch out into other areas of support for the Clover School District. Clover LEAF served as the sponsor of the annual Back-to-School Bash in August. They conducted a “Cram the Bus with Kindness” campaign this summer that resulted in very generous community donations of school supplies for students in need. Clover LEAF wrote grants to the Clover and Lake Wylie Rotary Clubs to provide books for students who attended the Back-to-School Bash and replace books on the current Battle of the Books list. Clover LEAF also created grant funding opportunities for students selected to attend national competitions. Last year, they supported the travel of the first student from Clover to participate in the Scripps National Spelling Bee. Clover LEAF is sponsoring the December “Terrific Tuesday” event for CSD employees. At the event, Clover LEAF will build relationships with staff and conduct a food drive for the district’s backpack program. Clover LEAF’s fundraising activities are expanding as well. The organization always accepts donations and recognizes giving at particular levels on the Donor Tree in the Clover School District Auditorium. The signature fundraiser, Clover Cuisine, will be held Thursday, April 25, at Clover High School. A new Spring Gala will be held at River Hills Country Club on Saturday, March 23. This event will feature raffles, a silent auction, and a live auction. Clover LEAF began in 1986. For nearly 40 years, Clover LEAF has been raising funds through its annual Clover Cuisine (formerly Taste of the Town) to support teacher grants. These grants enable teachers to receive funding for projects they may not otherwise be able to do, and they encourage teachers to be innovative in their thinking about classroom instruction. Clover LEAF is led by a Board of Directors serving staggered three-year terms. New members are accepted as vacancies occur on the Board or during the Board’s annual meeting in December. The Clover Jaycees The Junior Citizens, or Jaycees as they have come to be known, were thought to have begun as early as 1910. The Clover Jaycees were established on January 21, 1920. At first, it was only to help young men in the community learn personal and leadership skills. The bylaws were changed in 1984 to admit women as members. The Jaycees are a group of people who come together to help the community engage with each other. They do anything from festivals and events, like the Clover Fall Festival and Auto Show, to small acts of service that help the community. As stated on the Clover Chamber of Commerce website, the mission of the Jaycees is “To serve our members and enhance our community by building business success. We are driven to develop and nurture relationships with various community sectors to facilitate the needs and interests of the business community.” To learn more about the Clover Jaycees, see the article on pg. 4 of this paper. The Optimist Club The Clover Optimist Club, led by Ashby Skinnell, is a beacon of hope and support for residents of all ages. Established in 1956, this community-focused organization has been tirelessly working to improve the lives of Clover’s residents. From organizing events like the “Back to School Bash” to providing scholarships to local students, the Optimist Club’s mission is to uplift and empower. One of their standout initiatives is the annual “Toys for Charity” drive, where they collect and distribute toys to children in need during the holiday season. Speaking about this initiative, Mr. Skinnell emphasized the importance of spreading joy during difficult times. In addition to their charitable work, the Clover Optimist Club is involved in a wide range of activities, from hosting community dinners to supporting local youth organizations like the Cub Scouts. They also maintain a strong partnership with the Clover Fire Department and have actively contributed to the safety of the community. To learn more about the club’s upcoming events or to become a member, interested individuals can contact Ashby Skinnell at [email protected] or call 803-322-0177. Meetings are held the second and fourth Thursday of each month at 7:30 pm at 1600 Tom Joye Rd., Clover. The River Hills/Lake Wylie Lions Club According to Sherri Curlik, Lions Club member, The Lions International Club, as well as our local club, is all about service. Our club motto is “We Serve”. Lions Club International focuses on charities such as eyesight, environmental wellness, Diabetes, and aid in natural disasters and crises. Our local River Hills/Lake Wylie Club contributes to those charities. It provides scholarships and support to local organizations such as the Clover Area Assistance Center, the May Day Project, and the Stellie J. Jackson Enrichment Center. It gives bicycles and books to our Title One schools. Many of the Lions, along with financially contributing, serve through contributing volunteer hours. Last year, our club checked the eyesight of over 14,000 students in York County, read to twenty-plus classrooms weekly, picked up trash along Highway 49, and handed out hot chocolate and lemonade at community events, as well as countless other acts of service done individually. Our local Lions Club began in the late 1980s when a group of River Hills residents organized to be an impactful group improving the unincorporated area now known as Lake Wylie. The group joined Lions International and now encompasses the entire school district area in terms of service. People join the Lions for many reasons, but all have a heart for service and a desire to make a difference. The club offers members different methods of serving along with opportunities for fun social events, including breakfast meetings, mixers, and holiday celebrations. You can support or join the River Hills/Lake Wylie Lions Club by contacting any member or at https://rhlwlions.org/. Rotary International Rotary started with the vision of one man — Paul Harris. The Chicago attorney formed the Rotary Club of Chicago on February 23, 1905, so professionals with diverse backgrounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friendships. Over time, Rotary’s reach and vision gradually extended to humanitarian service. Members have a long track record of addressing challenges in their communities and around the world. Rotary is now a worldwide organization of over 1.4 million neighbors, friends, and community leaders who volunteer their skills and resources to solve issues and address community needs. During 2020-2021, over $333 million was awarded by Rotary for global service initiatives. These initiatives include fighting disease, promoting peace, providing clean drinking water, supporting education, and growing local economies. One of Rotary’s biggest initiatives has been working to eradicate polio for the past 35 years. Over this time, polio cases have been reduced by 99.9%! Rotary of Clover According to Kate Manley, a Clover Rotary member, the Clover Rotary Club participates in various civic activities. We provide annual scholarships to Clover High School seniors, donate picnic tables to community parks, provide landscaping to non-profits, and pick up trash throughout the community. We also raise money to support Alzheimer’s research with events like “Ales for Alzheimer,” which occurs annually in May. District-wide, Rotary has raised over $200,000 to help fund Alzheimer’s research. Rotary’s motto is “Service Before Self”. Ken Love, a Rotary member since 1980, said it best. He said, “If you have a desire to be part of something that would leave the world a little bit better than how you found it, then Rotary is the club for you.” Clover Rotary Club meets at noon on Wednesday in the Family Trust Building in Clover. We welcome new members and would love the opportunity to share our mission with anyone interested in learning more. Rotary of Lake Wylie In the words of Greg Forrest, Rotary of Lake Wylie is a group of business owners, professionals, and concerned citizens united in the goal of “doing good” in the Lake Wylie community and the world by supporting philanthropy and volunteer service projects. Rotary of Lake Wylie started in 2010 and participates in several service projects throughout the year to impact the community. Some of those annual events include Thanksgiving meal deliveries to families in need in partnership with CSD and CAAC, the Adopt-a-Stream River Clean-up, a Halloween candy giveaway at Field Day Park, management and maintenance of five Little Free Libraries throughout the community, and Josh the Otter Water Safety reading program at a variety of locations in the community. Additionally, 2023 was our inaugural year for Paddle for the Cure to generate funds for CART (Coins For Alzheimer’s Research). We generated over $18k this first year and plan to expand this community event. The Lake Wylie Rotary Club is a great way to get involved in the local community and expand your international scope. Many people are looking for an easy way to provide service to their community, and joining us is a good option to make a local and international impact. Each week, we feature a distinguished speaker who provides informative and entertaining information about topics of interest to our members. We also participate in monthly social dinners and activities such as attending a local brewery, pontoon boat ride, or field trips to local charities/businesses. There are service projects throughout the year that anyone can get involved to support and not only make an impact but see and feel the impact. If you would like to join or find out more information, please submit your information here: https://lakewylierotary.org/join-rotary/.
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