Evening Optimist Club accepting applications for annual Sumter Christmas Parade

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EDITOR'S NOTE: Please note that due to the threat of COVID-19, some events may be cancelled or rescheduled unexpectedly.

The Evening Optimist Club is accepting applications for the annual Sumter Christmas Parade, tentatively scheduled for Sunday, Dec. 5. The theme is "We Need a Little Christmas Now." If your school, civic club, church or business would like an application, contact Gail Hyatt at (803) 983-3916 or gailhyatt@sc.rr.com. Deadline for entry is Friday, Nov. 5. All participants must comply with current pandemic protocols. Parade size will be limited, so no late entries will be accepted.

The Mary B. Thomas Girls Youth Circle District 7 Unit 157 is accepting diaper donations through Oct. 23 to be given away at a diaper distribution on Oct. 30. Individually packaged diapers (diapers in their original packaging) of all sizes are needed. For information about donating, call (803) 968-0123.

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.