Spend a day to Make a Difference in Sumter
As the 29th anniversary of National Make a Difference Day approaches, Sumter Volunteers and the city and county of Sumter encourage local citizens to "do something special" for their community. Sumter Volunteers Executive Director Jo Anne Morris urges "individuals, families, children, youth, schools, churches, civic clubs and organizations, the workplace - the entire community to share in this national community day" on Saturday, Oct. 26.
Several projects have been planned for the day, and the three sponsors invite participation by local residents. Sumter's Super Saturday Clean-Up Spruce-Up Campaign encourages volunteers to clean up their own property or to select a street, park or neighborhood to clean and beautify.
Morris said, "Each individual goal (is) a clean and more beautiful property to add to the community."
Sumter Volunteers invite specific segments of the community to work together to make a difference. Among them are area schools and colleges, rural Sumter County and the agricultural community, business and industry and area churches.
Morris recommends "actively involving students, teachers, Scouts or Boys and Girls Clubs and club leaders to be a focus for neighborhoods," thus rendering a "much-appreciated community service." She said teaching young people to be stewards of the Earth is a good learning experience.
Rural Sumter County, Morris noted, gives the first impression to visitors entering the county, and she encourages residents of those areas to ensure they are attractive and welcoming, neat and well cared for.
The business and industrial properties are a very important and vital part of Sumter, Morris said, as they can "showcase Sumter from the thoroughfares of north, south, east and west, leading into the heart of uptown Sumter."
She asks that members of business and industry join other volunteers helping the community.
Churches are very important to the success of Make a Difference Day, Morris said, noting that "God is the Creator and author of beauty, and we are stewards of his Earth." Suggestions for church outreach include improving church grounds, adopting part of the neighborhoods around the religious institutions for cleanup and beautification, sharing plants from gardens and adopting a specific project through Sumter Volunteers.
Sunshine Saturday, part of Make a Difference Day, has the goal of visiting residents of long-term care facilities and shut-ins. Sumter Volunteers suggests taking flowers, a fruit basket, bananas or tray favors, a balloon or small gift to a senior citizen. Morris said the elderly also often need help with yard work or painting.
She also encourages residents to create their own projects by doing things such as cleaning their neighborhoods, planting flowers or shrubs, helping neighbors rake leaves, sweep porches, mow grass and so forth.
Other volunteer opportunities include:
- Food drives for Christian Charities, Sumter United Ministries, Salvation Army, Emmanuel Soup Kitchen;
- Crisis Closet - Coats for kids, socks for adults, children's underclothing;
- Sumter United Ministries needs nonperishable snacks, office paper supplies, plastic eating utensils and more, and its homeless shelter has a need for toilet articles, linens, food, coats and cleaning supplies; and
- Habitat for Humanity Resale Store needs housewares, appliances, plumbing, electronics and more.
Everyone can make a difference in individual lives or the community, Morris said. She asks that volunteers keep a record of their projects and how many hours they spend on them and report them to her at Sumter Volunteers. Those who work for their favorite charities or who make contributions can also report to her by calling (803) 775-7423. More information can also be obtained by calling Morris at that number.