AROUND LEXINGTON COUNTY

Want to make an impact on your community? There are ways that you can help.

Emily Wright spoke of a way at the Lexington Network of Female Executives last Tuesday. Emily is a member and supporter of the Palmetto Civitan Club of Lexington. This month is “Volunteering Our Gifts for Special Needs” month. The many projects include Autism Academy of SC, Special Needs Advocacy, Special Olympics, Stride for Autism Walk, and creating a parent resource center.

Emily meets with members of the legislature to help bring about awareness of the need for better laws regarding their causes. If you are interested in joining the effort, you may contact Emily at 803-606-8971, or connect via email at PalmettoCivitan@gmail.com or on Facebook, www.facebook.com/PalmettoCivitan .

You may also want to join Kassy Alia’s Serve and Connect effort. Kassy is the widow of Police Officer Greg Alia, who lost his life to a gun man in 2015 at Columbia’s Richland Mall.

The motto of Serve and Connect is “Transforming the Future of Police and Community Relationships Through Connection.”

The Lexington Police Department has partnered with Serve and Connect to host a holiday “Greg’s Groceries” delivery to a low-income housing complex. Officers also gave Christmas gifts to every child living in the complex.

Serve and Connect has supported Spring-dale Police Department and the Midlands Fatherhood Coalition on fundraising and marketing.

Panera Bread has also joined in the Connect effort, along with Lexington Medical Center, Hudson’s Catering and Mission Lexington. Contact Serve & Connect at PO Box 6840, Columbia SC 29260-6840 or email kassy@serveandconnect.net .

Robin Bowers, executive director at Mission Lexington, says they are always willing to help families in need through their resources or connect with the Salvation Army and Harvest Hope. They helped their first person associated with the government shut down last week and helped financially and with food.

Remember to help your neighbor.

Disney’s “Aladdin, Jr.” will be at the Village Square Theatre Feb. 9 through 17, with performances Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sundays at 3 pm., with an additional matinee Feb. 16 at 3 pm. This production is unique because all of the roles are filled by children with developmental disabilities. For tickets, call 359-1436 or visit boxoffice@villagesquaretheatre.com .

Rose Wilkin’s World Famous Chicken Bog will be served Feb. 15, 5:30-8 pm, at St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 402 Park Rd., Lexington. It is eat-in or take-out at $8 a plate and $4 a plate for those 12 and under. Proceeds benefit the Altar Guild and youth programs.

Happy birthday to Shirley Bennett, George Richardson, Lindsay-Moore Stone, Julie Hajacki, Patrick Lide, Melba Shealy, Robin Adcock, Fred Douglas, Paul Glover, Austin Leaphart, Nancy Powell, Blaine Richardson, Frank Raymond, Jamison Vaughn, Jim Pennington, Jacob Knight, Wallace Behnke, William Lynch, Betty Carson, Debra Rowe, Edna Knight, Dorcas Dooley, Dean Amick, Emily Clark, Conner Faulk, Ian Shealy, Harrison Burns, Graham Murry, Tyler Wack, MacKenzie Yandle, Ann Marie Amick, Tim Niver, Richard Ray, Kacie Truluck, Ellison Crapps, Gerad Mintz, Jared Payne, Cassidy Skladany, Lily Bishop, Jeff Longway, Anglea MacFawn, Laren Mc-Caskill, Shawm Graham, Lauren Jackson, Jessica Miles, Van Skipper, Catherine Flitter, Amy Taylor, Griffin Wheeler, Trent Goodman, Steve Sherman, and our daughter, Charlotte Stormer.