Around town: Wednesday, Oct. 1, 2025
To correct any information or to make a submission to Around Town, email pressrelease@theitem.com with Around Town in subject line.
Sumter County Citizens for Life will hold its Sumter Life Chain on Broad Street from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 5, and again on Sunday, Nov. 2. For additional information, call Hugh Wilson at (803) 464-1450 or Brandi Hall at (803) 464-1918.
City of Sumter is inviting the public to help shape the Annual Action plan for using Community Development Block Grant money to improve neighborhoods and support low- to moderate-income residents. Meeting attendees can share how they would like the money to be spent. Examples include housing rehabilitation, sewer improvements and youth programs. The schedule for these meetings is as follows:
- Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025, 6 p.m., Birnie HOPE Center, 210 S. Purdy St.
- Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025, 6 p.m., South Sumter Resource Center, 337 Manning Ave.
- Public hearing Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025, at 6 p.m., City Council Chambers, 4th Floor Sumter Opera House, 21 N. Main St.
Entry to all meeting places is handicapped accessible. Hearing impaired or deaf persons may call (803) 774-1649 for assistance. People needing an interpreter may call the same number for assistance.
Love in Action Outreach Ministries will present the inspiring seminar "Yes, You Can!" on Saturday, Oct. 11, at the James Clyburn Center, Suite #5, 129 S. Harvin St. The RSVP-only event will begin at noon with a country-style hot lunch provided by Jackson Cuisine and Catering in Sumter. Following lunch, Michele Abraham, a former S.C. State Director of Small Business Development Centers, will speak. This seminar will empower you to discover your gifts and your "calling." Key takeaways include: Doubt doesn't live here anymore; Develop fearless confidence; Learn to believe, before you receive; and Develop a mindset and determination to never quit. This free admission event requires an RSVP so that a head count can be achieved for the free lunch and to honor building capacity requirements. Call (404) 513-5683 to RSVP.
The Evening Optimist Club is accepting applications for the annual Sumter Christmas Parade which will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 7. The theme for the 2025 Christmas Parade is "A Candy Cane Christmas." If your school, civic club, church, or business would like an application, please contact Gail Hyatt at (803) 983-3916, or via email, gailhyatt@sc.rr.com. Deadline for entry is Friday, Nov. 14.
Crosswell Home for Children is celebrating 90 years and is in search of alumni who spent time at the home to celebrate at the Alumni BBQ on Saturday, Oct. 25. Crosswell, established in 1935 by the estate of John K. Crosswell, has served as a home for more than 1,000 local children. If you are interested in attending or for more information, email sallred@crosswellhome.org or scan the QR code.
Sumter County Recreation Department, in conjunction with South Carolina Attorney General's Office, will host "Golden Connections, A Senior Community Health & Resource Fair" on Wednesday, Oct. 29, at Sumter County Civic Center. This is a free event and will be held from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Local and state agencies will be on site. There will be prevention information and guest speakers. Activities will include entertainment, bingo and giveaways. Refreshments will be available. For more information, email recreation@sumtercountysc.gov or call (803) 436-2248.
Sumter S.C. Combat Veterans Group supports veterans and their families through various initiatives. Members have a chance to contribute to causes that directly impact veterans' lives, join in on community events, network with fellow vets and supporters and help shape the future of veteran support in the Sumter area, according to the group's website. Members have the chance to give back, stay connected and make a difference in the lives of those who served our country. Anyone interested in joining can attend one of the regular group meetings on the third Friday of each month at 10 a.m. at 529 N. Wise Drive. The application at https://sumtercombatveterans.org/membership can be downloaded, printed and completed beforehand.
The City of Sumter invites everyone again this year to pitch in to clean up their community through volunteer litter cleanup days. The remaining days this year are Oct. 18 and Dec. 13. Spend a couple hours in the morning making a difference where you live. Anyone who would like to volunteer can sign up at the city's website, https://tinyurl.com/mryzpu5n. People can form cleanup teams to participate, but according to the site, you don't have to stick to just the scheduled days to help beautify your community. The city provides free supplies and trash bag pickup service.
Area businesses that want to get more involved in making the city a beautiful place to live and work can take the Litter-Smart Business Pledge at https://tinyurl.com/mt8trytt. About a dozen businesses have signed up so far to commit to keeping the land around their business litter-free. Businesses that sign up will receive a "Love where you live" sticker to display in their window and help spread the word about the pledge and also supplies to use for cleaning up.
Sumter Newcomers Club is a social group open to all Sumter residents including men and women of all ages, retired or still working. We offer card and other games, book club and social events. There is something to do almost every day. Come check us out at our monthly coffee social with a guest speaker the second Friday of each month from September to May at 10 a.m. at the South HOPE Center, 1125 S. Lafayette Drive. Refreshments will be provided. Call Shelly at (803) 968-0024 for more information.
The South Carolina Education Association Retired is seeking new members. The group meets at 11 a.m. at the North HOPE Center, 904 N. Main St., every fourth Wednesday of the month unless otherwise specified. Contact Ernestine Mickens at (803) 840-2156 for further information.
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.
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.