Cayce-West Columbia Lions accounted for 15 smiles.

They took 15 Springdale Elementary School students on a shopping spree.

“To see the look on the kids’ faces told us how much they appreciated it,” said Charlene Frye, Lion Club secretary.

She said the school’s guidance counselor recommended which students had the chance to spend $150.

“You don’t know what these kids are dealing with,” she said. “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.

“They spent $130 on clothes and got $20 to buy themselves something,” she said.

“We want them to know someone is concerned about them,” she said. “The Lions also wanted to project good role models.”

Cayce Woman’s Club members Pamme Eades, Angela Davenport Garnett and Paula Gantt Miller, took a child shopping, too.

Pricenor said he is involved with other fundraisers, but the Lions’ shopping trip is the most fulfilling.

“You get the see the kids’ face and it puts the funds 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 Lion’s have been conducting the trips for 7 years.

Lions Club President Bill Mooneyhan called it “the most-rewarding thing we do.”

Other Lions accompanying the students were: Matthew Hodges, Jim Hofe, Randy Klapman, Edna Holton, Oliver Moore, Glenn Matthews, Steve Wingard, John Anderson, Bryant Herring and Jay Littlejohn.