City of Sumter accepting applications for Summer Youth Employment Programs

EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to the threat of COVID-19, some of the following events may be cancelled or rescheduled unexpectedly.

The City of Sumter will accept applications for its Summer Youth Employment Programs through May 6. Students ages 14-15 will work in city government and students age 16 through high school will work in the Co-Op Program for local businesses. Students must live in the city limits and meet income requirements set by HUD. Students should see their school guidance counselors for applications and income guidelines or pick up an application 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday from the Liberty Center, 12 W. Liberty St., Office H. Call Carolet Thomas at (803) 774-1652 or Clarence Gaines at (803) 774-1649.

Sumter High School Class of 1975 will hold a class reunion Sept. 2-4 at 34 S. Artillery Drive. For information, see the Sumter High School Class of 75 Facebook page.Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is looking for volunteers to prepare taxes free to the public. Training materials and some classes will be held in January 2022. If interested, contact Jo-Ann at 803-446-6251.

Seniors on the Move Program, offered by Paxville Community Development Corp., is held from 9 a.m. to noon Monday-Wednesday. The program offers a variety of self skill sets including technology skills, elder life skills development, Bingo and other games, health and wellness workshop and Bible study. Programs operate on Clarendon School District 2 schedule. For information, call (803) 452-5124 or email paxvillecdc99@gmail.com.

The Paxville Community Development Corp. offers a youth development after school program for pre-k through eighth grade students from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. through June 2, 2022. Programs operate on Clarendon School District 2 schedule. For information, call (803) 452-5124 or email paxvillecdc99@gmail.com.

Santee-Wateree Regional Transportation Authority (SWRTA) is offering free rides to COVID-19 vaccinations and COVID-19 testing sites. Contact SWRTA from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday-Friday at (803) 934-0396.

Sumter Newcomers' Club welcomes residents to our coffees with guest speakers on the second Friday of each month and to our lunches on the fourth Friday of each month at a local restaurant. The club also has various card and other games and a book club. If you are looking for friends or just something to do, come check out the Sumter Newcomers' Club. Call Shelly at (803) 968-0024 for more information.

The General George L. Mabry Jr. Military Order of the Purple Heart Chapter 817 meets at 6 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the Combat Veteran Building, 529 N. Wise Drive, Sumter, SC 29153. The meetings are held to foster an environment of goodwill and camaraderie among combat wounded veterans as well as promote patriotism, assist with finding information and resources, and provide service to all veterans and their families. For more information, visit purpleheart817sumtersc.com or call (803) 983-3770.

The GOP "Republican" meetings are held at 7 p.m. on the first Thursday of each month at The Restaurant at Second Mill (the Quality Inn restaurant), 2390 Broad St., across from Golden Corral. Meetings are open to anyone age 16 years or older. For more information and questions, call (803) 972-4555.

Marine Corps League Detachment 1202 meets at 6 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at the VFW, 1925 Gion St. All present and former Marines are welcome. Call (803) 972-4555.

American Legion Post 15 meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Monday of each month at 34 S. Artillery Drive. All veterans, past and present, are welcome. Call (803) 968-5115.

The Civil Air Patrol Sumter Composite Squadron meets from 6:30 to 9 p.m. each Tuesday at 2945 Airport Road. There are cadet programs, aerospace education programs and emergency services programs. Call Lt. Col. George Stanley at (803) 847-7640. Visit www.gocivilairpatrol.com for information.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 12-1 meets at 7 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at the Summerton Fire Station, North Cantey Street, Summerton. Membership is open to any U.S. citizen age 17 or older. Previous service in the Coast Guard is not required. The auxiliary's main objective is to promote safe recreational boating on Lake Marion and Lake Moultrie by offering safe boating classes, courtesy vessel checks for required safety equipment and patrolling the lakes offering assistance to anyone in need. The auxiliary also stands ready to assist the USCG with their mission along with search and rescue. We encourage anyone interested in participating in our mission to attend a meeting and learn more about the auxiliary.