Sumter VITA is looking for volunteers
EDITOR'S NOTE: Due to the threat of COVID-19, some events may be cancelled or rescheduled unexpectedly.
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.
The National Kidney Foundation of South Carolina is in need of unwanted vehicles - even ones that don't run. The car will be towed at no charge to you and you will be provided with a possible tax deduction. The donated vehicle will be sold at auction or recycled for salvageable parts. Call (800) 488-2277.
The Muscular Dystrophy Family Foundation Inc. (MDFF), a non-profit organization, accepts vehicle contributions. To complete a vehicle donation, call 1-800-544-1213 or log onto the organization's web site at www.mdff.org and click on the automobile icon to complete an online vehicle donation application.
The Christian Golfers' Association (CGA) meets at 8 a.m. each Tuesday for Bible study. The group meets at the CGA office in Dillon Park. Refreshments provided and golf after Bible study. Call (803) 773-2171.
The Ballard-Palmer-Bates American Legion Post 202 meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Monday of each month at the Post, 310 Palmetto St. All veterans are welcome to attend. Call (803) 773-4811.
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 is not just for new residents. Get to know your city while making new friends for life. We have monthly coffees with guest speakers where you can get to know us. Play canasta, hand and foot, triple play, bunko, Phase 10 and/or many other games. The club also has a book club you may be interested in. Join us for lunch at a local restaurant once a month. For information, call Shelly Brown at (803) 481-0110.
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 (except the month of September when they meet on the second Monday) 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.
Temple Sinai Jewish History Center is seeking docents. Docents must be 18 years of age or older and willing to attend educational training prior to starting. This is a volunteer position and you will be asked to commit a few hours a week (Thursday or Friday afternoon or Saturday morning) for a minimum of three months. The museum will work with students who want to arrange class credit through their college. The Center covers South Carolina and Sumter Jewish history, the Holocaust and Sumter's ties to the Holocaust. Docents must be friendly and comfortable engaging with both children and adults. Contact Diana Roof at (803) 468-8630 or at temple@sumtercountymuseum.org or Annie Rivers at (803) 775-0908 or at arivers@sumtercountymuseum.org.
Lake Marion VFW Post 11078, Summerton, meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 1 Duke St., Summerton, behind First Citizens Bank. Dinner begins at 6:30 p.m. with the meeting beginning at 7 p.m. All VFW members are encouraged to attend. Call Carl A. Farley at (803) 460-8910.
The Single Parent Institute meets from 5:45 to 6:45 p.m. on the second Monday of each month at the Birnie HOPE Center. Meetings are open to teenage single parents, custodial and non-custodial single parents. You are welcome to bring your children as the Single Parent Institute is for the entire family. Contact Dr. L. Quaneck Walkes at (803) 223-9408 or lqwalkes@sctechthisout.com.