Around Town: Book drive, Head Start / Early Headstart enrollment, summer youth employment and more

Palmetto Optimist Club's Children's Book Drive is running throughout March. The initiative aims to collect new and gently used children's books to promote literacy and a love for reading among the youth in Sumter.
New books can be purchased at Books-A-Million at Sumter Mall or at Olive Tree & Doolallies at 105 E. Wesmark Blvd. Additionally, donations of used children's books will be accepted at the following locations:
• Foiled Hair Salon, 1337 Peach Orchard Road;
• LS Investment Partners, 618 Bultman Drive, Suite B;
• Sumter Cut Rate, 32 S. Main St.;
• Olive Tree & Doolallies, 105 E. Wesmark Blvd.; and
• South HOPE Center, 1125 S. Lafayette Drive.

Wateree Community Actions Inc. Head Start and Early Head Start programs serving low-income, disabled, homeless and foster children birth to 5 years old in Clarendon, Lee, Kershaw and Sumter counties is accepting applications for enrollment in Head Start and Early Head Start for the 2024-25 school year.
Persons interested in enrolling their children should contact the Head Start Center serving their area of residence, call the administrative office of Watereee CAA Head Start Program at (803) 774-8520, or Early Head Start at (803) 440-8569 or apply online by clicking on the Head Start icon at www.wcai.org.
Wateree Community Actions Inc. Head Start and Early Head Start Programs comply with the U.S. Department of Agriculture mandate that prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, age, disability or national origin. Transportation services are provided for children enrolled in the Head Start Program. Transportation services are not provided for Early Head Start.

The City of Sumter is accepting applications for the Summer Youth Employment Programs. Students ages 14-15 will work in city government, and students ages 16 through high school, will work in the Co-Op Program for local businesses. Students should see their school guidance counselors for applications and income guidelines. Students must live within the city limits and meet the income requirements set by HUD. Applications will be accepted from April 3 through May 3, 2024. Students may also pick up applications from the Liberty Center, Community Development/Housing, 12 W. Liberty Street, Suite 4, Sumter, between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
For additional information, contact Carolet Thomas at (803) 774-1652 or Clarence Gaines at (803) 774-1649.

The Cass Elias McCarter Guardian ad Litem Program, a division of the South Carolina Department of Children’s Advocacy, will offer free virtual training beginning Tuesday, April 2, to those interested in becoming a volunteer Guardian ad Litem (GAL) in Clarendon County and Sumter County. GALs advocate on behalf of abused and neglected children who are involved in family court legal proceedings through the Department of Social Services (DSS). Both morning and evening virtual sessions are available. Visit gal.sc.gov for more information and to download an application.

The Sumter County Recreation Department offers after school enrichment programs for ages 5-12 from 2:30 to 5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday for a session fee of $100 per participant at the following locations: Catchall-Shaw Community Center, Cherryvale Community Center, DeLaine Community Center, Eastern Community Center, Ebenezer Community Center, Rembert/Rafting Creek Community Center, Salterstown Community Center. Call (803) 436-2248 for information. Session II will be held until May 22, 2024.

Anyone interested in a career in health science is invited to learn more about potential job opportunities in the area at Central Carolina Technical College’s Health Sciences Career Fair on Tuesday, April 9. The fair will be held at CCTC’s Health Sciences Center at 133 S. Main St. in downtown Sumter from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visitors can connect with employers about jobs and colleges and universities offering health-related or nursing academic programs. The fair is open to all students and alumni.

The City of Sumter will hold its next community cleanup on Saturday, April 20, with everyone welcome to pitch in to beautify the city they live in.
According to the city’s Facebook page, “Volunteers are a vital part of our success. Make plans to join thousands of volunteers of all ages who will be taking part in the efforts to clean up and improve our local community this year. These events are held every two months and we are asking for the community’s help and support.”
The scheduled cleanup days for this year are on Saturdays: April 20, June 15, Aug. 17, Oct. 19 and Dec. 14.
The city will provide supplies for volunteers and pick up the bags after the events.
Fill out a volunteer form at https://tinyurl.com/fmxkavkp.