Around town: Wednesday, July 3, 2024
Sumter United Ministries is collecting school supplies for students in need as they head back to school this fall with Gear Up for Learning. Items needed are: crayons, glue sticks, highlighters, pens (blue and black), loose-leaf notebook paper (college and wide ruled), 3-ring binders, pencils, large plastic pencil boxes, primary writing tablets ruled for kindergarten, pocket folders (with and without clasps), rulers, round-tip scissors, spiral notebooks (college ruled), composition notebooks, colored pencils, backpacks, copier paper, tissues and hand sanitizer. Drop off supplies at:
- Assured Partners, at 1170 Wilson Hall Road, on Monday-Friday, June 18-July 19, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
- Sumter United Ministries, at 36 S. Artillery Drive, on Monday-Friday, June 18-July 24, except on Thursday, July 4, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- First Baptist Church Gym, at 107 E. Liberty St., on Monday- Thursday, July 22-25 from 9 a.m. to noon
Anyone looking to sponsor an item(s) or who has any questions can call the ministry at (803) 775-0757.
The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce will host a Veteran Resource, Education and Job Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, at the South HOPE Center, 1125 S. Lafayette Drive, Sumter. Veterans are invited to visit with employers, veterans service organizations, community service organizations, career services, eduational institutions and more. Break-out sessions will be held on veteran benefits, financial planning, educational planning and resume writing. Veterans are encouraged to bring their resume and dress for success.
The Sumter Mall will hold the Movin' & Groovin' Back-to-School Event from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 20, at the mall. This event promises a fun-filled day with activities, involvement from local organizations, fantastic deals, and more to help Sumter gear up for the upcoming school year. Admission is free, and attendees will have the chance to register to win a gift basket filled with all the essentials. For more information, please visit the Sumter Mall Facebook Page.
Trukuntry Steppas will hold its first free Back 2 School Bash from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, July 21, at 2035 N. Kings Highway, Dalzell. School supplies will be provided to each child. Non-perishable food donations will be accepted for the homeless shelter. Music will be provided by DJ Payme. Get ready to line dance. Vendors and food trucks are invited and asked to contact Donna at (803) 236-9863 or Shannie at (803) 972-0436.
Sumter Police Department will host its annual Back to School Bash on Tuesday, July 23, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Birnie HOPE Center, at 210 S. Purdy St. There will be hotdogs and snow cones, facepainting, balloon art and music by DJ Howie D. Meet and greet representatives from Tandem Health, Healthy Blue of South Carolina, USC Sumter, YMCA, Sumter Fire Department, Sumter Behavioral Health Services, SLED Amber Alert, SAFE Kids Sumter County, Absolute Total Care and Sumter EMS. All children in attendance must be accompanied by a responsible adult who is 18 years of age or older. In the event of rain, the bash will be moved to Thursday, July 25, same place and time.
Moms of Sumter Addicts (MOSA) Prayer Group meets the second Thursday of each month from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Birnie Hope Center, 210 S. Purdy St., Sumter. This is not a step program or a self-help group but is a group of mothers of addicts spending time in prayer and working to understand and encourage the building of a personal support network. MOSA does not judge, criticize, give advice or discuss other members' situations. For information on the group, contact MOSA.prayer@gmail.com.
The City of Sumter will hold its next community cleanup on Aug. 17 with everyone welcome to pitch in to beautify the city they live in. The remaining scheduled cleanup days for this year are on Saturdays: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.
The Palmetto Optimist Club's Burger Cookoff event returns to downtown Sumter Sept. 14 to help raise money for families battling childhood cancer, and the club is already looking for people to sign up. Teams interested in participating can email PalmettoOptimistClub@gmail.com for details.
If you have any used bicycles you no longer want, donate them to be fixed up and given to children at 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.
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