Larry Jeffers American Legion Post 195 of Lugoff, S.C., presented Doby's Mill Elementary School with a check for $1,500 and supplies Wednesday. The supplies included American Legion youth publications on Americanism, patriotism and flag etiquette. Auxiliary Unit 195 presented the school with poppies and a detailed narrative of the significance of the poppy.

School Reading Interventionist April Dixon approached the post and gave a presentation at their regular meeting in March. The post unanimously voted to support the effort, allotted additional funds and acquired supplies through The American Legion for patriotic lessons.

The school program being supported is a reading intervention program. The goal is high-quality instruction and universal screening of all children in the general kindergarten to third-grade classes with the goal of improving reading comprehension and skills. Doby's Mill Elementary is incorporating additional life skills, lessons in the basics of proper table manners, etiquette and patriotic instruction.

To this end, Post 195 is providing materials and funding to advance the program at the school, and also has members who have volunteered to provide additional classroom instruction on basic items such as handshakes and tying neckties. Post 195 is a longtime supporter of Kershaw County schools, youth sports and programs.

Presenting the check to the school were Auxiliary President Glenda Baxley, Historian Sarah Richardson and member Pam Martin, as well as Post 195 Commander Ruppert Baird, 1st Vice Commander Kate Brock and Chief Charity Officer Cliff Turner. Receiving the check for Doby's Mill were Dixon, Principal Sharon Lewis, Reading Coach Robyn Galloway and guidance counselor Dr. Jeanne Dilman.