Military Order of the Purple Heart to host cookout today

The Military Order of the Purple Heart, General George L. Mabry Jr. Chapter 817, will host a cookout from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. today at the VA Outpatient Clinic, 407 N. Salem Ave. Members of the chapter will be serving all veterans visiting the clinic on that date.

The Carolina Coin Club will meet at 7 p.m. today at the Parks and Recreation Department building,155 Haynsworth St. The club meets on the third Tuesday of each month and visitor are always welcome. Call (803) 775-8840 for more information.

The General George L. Mabry Jr. Chapter 817, Military Order of the Purple Heart, will meet at 6 p.m. on Thursday, June 21, at the Sumter Combat Veterans Group building, 529 N. Wise Drive. All Purple Heart recipients and those interested in association membership are invited. Life membership is available for only $25. For more information, call (803) 773-0658.

The Fourth Friday Concert Series will present Front Porch Junkies from 6:30 to 9 p.m. on Friday, June 22, on Main Street in downtown Sumter. There will be food and beverages available for purchase at this family-friendly event.

Because of God We Can Outreach Ministry will hold a giveaway at 11 a.m. on Saturday, June 23, at the home of Viola Shaw, 186 Green Lane, Bishopville. Food will be served at noon. Tickets will be drawn for cash prizes. Donated items to be given away include clothes, toys, shoes, coffee tables, televisions and more. Call Viola Shaw at (803) 428-3488.

In observance of "Homeownership Month," a housing and job fair will be held 11 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday, June 23, at the South Sumter Resource Center, 337 Manning Ave. Find out if you qualify for a home. Refreshments, door prizes and fun for kids.

The Heart of Sumter Neighborhood Association (HSNA) and the Sumter County Cultural Center will present a brass quintet from the Charleston Symphony Orchestra 6-8 p.m. on Saturday, June 23, in front of Patriot Hall. Finger desserts and lemonade will be provided. Bring a chair and umbrella. HSNA will be accepting new members. Membership fee is $10 annually per family. Visit HSNAsumtersc.com.

The Sumter Branch NAACP will meet at 5 p.m. on Sunday, June 24, at Mount Pisgah Missionary Baptist Church, 7355 Camden Highway, Rembert.

A Red, White and Blue Ball, presented by American Legion Post 202 Women's Auxiliary, will be held from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. on Saturday, July 21, at 310 Palmetto St. Event will feature DJ Smoove as well as free food. Tickets are $20 each. Semi formal attire. Call Janetta at (803) 406-8038.

The Sumter Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of South Carolina will meet at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 10, at Shiloh-Randolph Manor, 125 W. Bartlette St. Contact Debra Canty, chapter president, at (803) 775-5792 or debra.canty@frontier.com.

The 12th Annual Art in the Park will be held 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 22, at Memorial Park. Art and craft, community corner and children's craft center vendor applications can be downloaded at HSNAsumtersc.com.