Sign up for Head Start and Early Head Start programs, Summer Youth Employment Program

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 Sumter County Recreation Department Summer Enrichment Program will be held June 3-July 26, 2024, at the following community centers: Catchall Shaw, Cherryvale, DeLaine, Eastern, Ebenezer, Rembert-Rafting Creek, Salterstown and Shiloh. The cost is $125 for the entire eight weeks. Registration will be March 25-May 3. For more information, call (803) 436-2248 or email recreation@sumtercountysc.gov.

The City of Sumter will host a tire buy-back event on Saturday, April 13, open to city and county residents only. You can receive $2 for each tire brought for recycling during the event, according to the city's Facebook page. No businesses can participate in the event, and there is a limit of 20 car tires per vehicle. Tires should not have rims, and a valid South Carolina ID is required. The buy-back is sponsored by Palmetto Pride and Continental Tire. Call (803) 305-5266 or visit www.sumtersc.gov/litter for more information.

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. 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.

CareSouth Carolina's upcoming Community Health Fair is coming up to connect communities with a wide range of health care resources and support. The fair will take place on Saturday, April 27, from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Bishopville High Memorial Gym, at 121 E. College St., Bishopville. The event will include food, giveaways, health resources, family support services, health and wellness guidance and essential health screenings.

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.

If you have any used bicycles you no longer want, donate them to be fixed up and given to children and Christmas by dropping them off at any Sumter fire station in the city and county all year 'round. Palmetto Optimist Club is accepting the bicycles, in partnership with the Sumter Evening Optimist Club.