CSU groups give Easter baskets, reading supplies to ‘at-risk kids’
By Allie Osman, Charleston Southern University
Megan Pledger, a junior at Charleston Southern and president of the Future Teachers Society, assembles fun-filled Easter baskets to help at-risk children with reading skills.Forty students belonging to Charleston Southern University’s Future Teachers Society and the Teaching Fellows constructed 163 spring literacy baskets to deliver to young, at-risk children for Easter.
Children ages 2 through 5 at Dorchester County Children in Crisis Center, Crisis Ministries, Head Start, and other underprivileged children in need of literacy and language stimulation each received a basket containing age-appropriate reading books, a coloring book, crayons and play dough. At least one of the books was related to children’s Bible stories, songs or themes.
“This is both an education and a service project,” said Linda Karges-Bone, professor at CSU’s School of Education who founded the spring literacy basket project eight years ago and has helped it grow each year. According to Karges-Bone, this target age group has the highest propensity for learning language because of their highly stimulated neural connections.
“This project gives children an opportunity to read, and they may not have had that opportunity before,” said junior Casey Jones of Marion. “At the same time, we’re telling them about the real story of Easter and about Jesus.”
“Getting something like this makes reading fun for them and makes them want to read,” said junior Tyson Williams of Greenville.
According to junior Lauren Moskos of Charleston, the project also helps with the young students’ literacy, comprehension and vocabulary.
The Future Teachers Society solicited sponsorships for this year’s project and received assistance from many groups, including the ADK Teachers Sorority in Summerville, JAED Corporation, churches, families, and Charleston Southern professors and staff members.
Campus Crusaders from Charleston Southern University spent spring break in New York City sharing their faith with students on New York’s campuses. At left, Kimberly Bauschatz and Virginia Smith visit City College of New York.
Governor Mark Sanford proclaimed March 29 as Crusader Football Day across the state of South Carolina, to celebrate North Greenville University’s National Christian College Athletic Association Victory Bowl championship. The South Carolina House of Representatives passed a House resolution honoring the football program and the university. Rep. Harry Cato told the House of Representatives of NGU’s record 10 victories and Victory Bowl championship. He then presented NGU president Jimmy Epting and head coach Mike Taylor with a framed copy of the resolution. Joining them were Sen. Lewis Vaughn and Gloria Haskins. Players, coaches and school officials then visited the Senate, where Vaughn – joined by the Greenville delegation of senators Mike Fair, Ralph Anderson, Jim Ritchie, and David Thomas – read a list of accomplishments and presented certificates of recognition for each player. Pictured are Crusader coach Mike Taylor, Rep. Harry Cato, Sen. Lewis Vaughn, and NGU president Jimmy Epting.
Thirty-five spring breakers left the sunny Charleston Southern campus March 4 for the snowy city of Cleveland, Ohio, to participate in Cleveland Hope mission projects. Activities included working with children at a Vacation Bible School, tutoring seniors at a high school, singing and studying the Bible with residents at a nursing home, refurbishing two churches, and sharing their testimonies with Cleveland residents. Above, a CSU student works on arts and crafts with children during VBS.
Charleston Southern University president Jairy Hunter Jr. welcomed 21 prospective students to a breakfast held in their honor at Premiere Day March 17. The students were awarded the Dr. Jairy C. Hunter Jr. scholarship, the top academic award at CSU. Students with an SAT score of 1200 or higher/ACT composite of 27 or higher, and a minimum GPA of 3.5 are eligible for this prestigious scholarship. Students toured the campus, met with faculty, discussed financial aid, and attended sessions about the honors program, athletics and career services.