Lauren Muns and a small group of women have a mission to help local children in need.
As president of the North Augusta League of Mothers, it was Muns' turn to decide what charity the group would help this year. With her own child at North Augusta Elementary School, Muns said, she saw a need in the schools and decided to help students and teachers.
"Each year we choose a charity and I've always wanted to start my own charity," she said.
Muns is opening up the nonprofit organization, Positive Steps, to help North Augusta schools.
The charity kicks off with a barbecue sale Saturday at Mathis Realty on West Avenue from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Gibby's Catering will provide barbecue, cole slaw, green beans and bread. A drive-through will be setup to the side of the building.
Muns said the idea to open a charity came from learning of a girl who needed shoes at North Augusta Elementary. She thought it would be great to fulfill similar needs, whether a child needs a winter coat or a bookbag.
After this year, Muns said, she hopes to spread the charity to middle and high schools. For older students, such as a high schooler needing a TI-83 calculator that costs about $100, Muns said she'd like to set it up to where they can earn it.
"(They can) do something nice for somebody else and give back to someone in the community," like mow a yard or take a meal to someone, she said.
It would be a Pay It Forward program with the older children. They help someone and then receive the item they need, she said.
"(I'm) just giving back and doing God's work for other people so that especially in this time there's hope," Muns said.
The North Augusta League of Mothers has 33 members and is open to all moms, though most mothers in the club have elementary-age or younger children.
They meet once a month and dues are $30 for the year. Different activities are planned such as having a speaker or simply going out to eat. For the children there is a Christmas party and Easter egg hunt among other outings, she said.
In the past the club has helped charities outside North Augusta such as SafeHomes of Augusta, but this year's charity hits home.
"I will be able to personally buy these things and see a difference it makes in the schools," Muns said.
Muns also teaches 5-year-old Mission Friends at First Baptist Church of North Augusta. She and her husband, Greg, coach 5-year-old soccer at Riverview Park.
"We enjoy the kids and the rec department was in need of coaches," she said.
Barbecue tickets are $6. To purchase a ticket, e-mail Muns at g.muns007@comcast.net or call (706) 220-2290.
Reach Crystal Garcia at crystal.garcia@northaugustatoday.com.
