As the holiday season approaches, the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department is again joining forces with Mission Lexington to ensure families across our community have a warm, full meal to share together.

Through the Friends Feeding Friends initiative, Mission Lexington provides holiday meals to families in need in addition to its regular monthly food pantry program, which already serves around 2,000 people each month. The program brings together local partners, volunteers and law enforcement to put traditional holiday staples on the table for neighbors facing tough times.

“We want to make sure that families are getting their normal food every month through the pantry,” said Amy Reeves, chief executive officer of Mission Lexington. “We’re also providing them with a holiday meal they can put on their table.”

To make that possible, LCSD deputies will be out in the community helping to collect donations during several upcoming Friends Feeding Friends food drives. This year’s events will take place at local grocery stores across Lexington County:

Holiday food drive dates

• Nov. 24–26: Lowes Foods (2440 Augusta Hwy)
• Nov. 28: Lowes Foods (2440 Augusta Hwy)
• Dec. 3–5: Lowes Foods (2440 Augusta Hwy)
• Dec. 10–12: Sam’s Club (350 Harbison Blvd)
• Dec. 17–19: Wal-Mart (1780 S Lake Dr.)

Community members are invited to visit any of these locations to donate nonperishable food items that help make up a complete holiday meal.

A partnership built on care

Mission Lexington’s partnership with the Sheriff’s Department goes far beyond the holidays. Deputies regularly connect residents in need with Mission Lexington’s resources throughout the year, whether it’s after a house fire, a domestic violence situation or another crisis.

“Deputies carry cards with Mission Lexington’s contact information in their patrol cars,” Reeves said. “When they meet someone who needs help, they can hand them a card and say, ‘Go there this afternoon, they can help you right away.’ That connection makes an immediate difference.”

Mission Lexington offers wraparound support including food, clothing, household essentials, rent and mortgage assistance, and more. LCSD’s close relationship with the organization helps ensure people in crisis get connected to those resources quickly.

Reeves added deputies also make a point to stop by the mission, check in and make sure staff feel safe and supported.

“They go above and beyond to make sure we’re doing OK,” she said. “It means so much to see familiar faces who care about us while we’re taking care of others.”

Making an impact together

As the need for assistance continues to grow, the partnership between LCSD and Mission Lexington remains a vital link for neighbors who need a helping hand. Every can, every donation and every shared hour of service adds up to something bigger: hope.

“We’re grateful to stand beside Mission Lexington again this season,” Sheriff Jay Koon said. “Together, we’re helping ensure no family in our community has to go without a holiday meal.”

To learn more about Mission Lexington and ways to give, visit missionlexingtonsc.org.

When students from the University of South Carolina stepped inside the Lexington County Sheriff’s Department this fall, they got more than a glimpse of daily operations. They experienced the many paths a law enforcement career can take.

The event, part of USC’s Spurs Up job-shadowing program, connected more than 20 students with deputies, investigators and leadership across multiple LCSD divisions and units. From patrol and forensics, to drones and canine operations, the hands-on experience gave students a real-world look at the skills, teamwork, and purpose behind the badge.

A partnership built on opportunity

The collaboration began when USC reached out to LCSD about its new experiential learning program. For Sgt. Dan Rusinyak, who leads recruitment and internship coordination for the department, saying yes was an easy decision.

“USC asked if we’d be interested in hosting students, and it was a no-brainer,” Rusinyak said. “We’re always looking for ways to connect with people who are curious about law enforcement and want to see what we’re all about.”

Since launching last year, the partnership has continued to grow. The program welcomes students from diverse academic backgrounds including criminal justice, business, psychology, sociology, music, and religion. This reflects the wide range of skills represented across the department.

“It’s not just for criminal justice majors,” Rusinyak added. “We have deputies with all kinds of degrees, and this program gives students that same insight. It shows them there’s a place for many different strengths in law enforcement.”

Inside the day: From CSI to drones

Students rotated through presentations from specialized teams, including crime scene investigators, domestic violence and major crimes units, and the K-9 and drone teams. One highlight, according to Rusinyak, was a live drone demonstration from Investigator Senn, which captivated everyone in the room.

“They’d seen drones on the news, but watching one operate just a few feet away made a huge impact,” Rusinyak said. “Moments like that make it real.”

For deputy Jeramie Mackinson, a member of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team, the event was a chance to give students a realistic look at one of the department’s most complex units.

“A lot of people think of the bomb squad and imagine the movies, but it’s a very technical field,” Mackinson said. “We handle everything from chemical threats and fireworks to suspicious packages, and it takes constant training and teamwork.”

Mackinson said he hopes the visit helped students see how much problem-solving and precision go into every aspect of public safety. “What we do requires patience, communication, and trust,” he said. “If even one student walked away understanding that, it’s worth it.”

Hands-on learning also helped clear up common misconceptions. Many students arrived with expectations shaped by TV shows and movies, only to discover how much precision and coordination real investigations require.

“They realize how detailed and involved the work is,” Rusinyak said. “It’s an eye-opener, and that’s exactly the goal.”

Building future connections

For LCSD, the program is not just about showcasing what the department does. It is about creating a pathway for future careers. The agency offers spring, summer and fall internships that immerse students in every part of a full-service department, from patrol and investigations to court services and detention.

“The internship program gives students a front-row seat to all three pillars of the criminal justice system,” Rusinyak said. “It’s the best way to find out if this career is right for you.”

Many LCSD deputies, including members of command staff, are USC alumni. That connection between the university and the department continues to grow stronger every year.

“This is our home,” Rusinyak said. “We’re both part of the Midlands community, and we’re proud to invest in each other. It’s a model for how agencies and universities should work together.”

Continuing the partnership

As the Spurs Up partnership continues to grow, LCSD remains committed to offering students meaningful, behind-the-scenes experiences and inspiring the next generation of public safety professionals.

For students or schools interested in learning more about internship opportunities or similar partnerships, Sgt. Rusinyak encourages reaching out directly.

“Whether you’re from USC or another college in South Carolina, we welcome you to come see what we do,” he said. “If you’re curious, this is the perfect place to find your fit.”

For more information about LCSD internship opportunities, contact Sgt. Rusinyak at drusinyak@lcsd.sc.gov or call 803-904-2124.