Lend a helping hand this holiday season in Sumter

There are plenty of volunteer and donation opportunities to be involved in to help brighten this holiday season for community members in need. Here are a few in the Sumter area.

CROSSWELL HOME FOR CHILDREN

Christmas at Crosswell Home for Children is an exciting time of year. With the help of sponsors, each child wakes up on Christmas morning with their stockings full and the Christmas tree overflowing with gifts. Crosswell is very blessed to already have the 2022 Sponsor Groups in place for the children's Christmas gifts.

Many of the current needs are for donation of financial sponsorship, of daily household items, as well as sponsorship for cottage updates to spaces used by children and live-in staff. Below is a list of some of the items on Crosswell's Campus Wish List.

Specific needs

(4) Wooden adirondack chairs

(2) Wooden black rocking chairs

(2) 50-inch screen smart TVs

Large new duffel bags (Unlimited needed)

(5) Cordless handheld vacuum cleaner

(5) Bagless upright powerful vacuum cleaner

(1) Router tool for campus maintenance

(1) Table saw for campus maintenance

(24) White noise machines for sleeping aid

(24) Small bedside lamps (non-glass/narrow shades preferred)

Plastic Rubbermaid-style storage containers (unlimited needed)

Twin comforter sets (girls and boys)

Twin mattress covers and sheet sets

Standard size pillows and covers (unlimited)

(30) Laundry hampers (with tops/lids)

Dish towels/wash cloth sets (solid colors) (unlimited needed)

Towels/wash cloth sets (solid colors) (unlimited)

Plastic shower curtain liners (unlimited needed)

(15) Bathroom rugs wwith rubber gripping (unlimited)

Underwear packs (toddlers through adult) (unlimited)

Nike-style crew socks for teens (adult sizes ONLY) (unlimited)

Personal Hygiene Items and Household cleaning items (Unlimited)

Batteries: AA,AAA, 9 Volt are most needed (Unlimited)

Sponsorship update needs

(Financial and/or labor)

Furniture and decor updates in Cottage B and D child living space

New flooring in dining room/hallway and Cottage D

Expansion of donation closet storage space

Enclosure of covered basketball court

Planting of trees on campus

Development of baseball field on campus

Gift card needs

Gift cards/sponsorship for activities (McDonald's, Chick-fil-a, pizza party, Moe's, Sonic, Kona Ice, Netflix, etc.)

Gift cards for clothing and birthday gift purchases (Walmart, TJ Maxx, Ross, Burlington, Belk, Amazon, etc.)

Gifts may be dropped off at the Administrative Building Office, Monday through Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

For more information, please call Suzy Allred at (803) 774-2760 or e-mail sallred@crosswellhome.org.

CRAM-A-CRUISER

Christmas is around the corner, and officers with the Sumter Police Department are looking to help lighten Santa's load with their annual Cram-A-Cruiser Toy Drive.

The toy drive ensures that every child in Sumter can have a toy for Christmas, according to the department's website.

Each year, officers park a patrol vehicle at Walmart on Saturdays leading up to Christmas. The toys are collected to be distributed locally by The Salvation Army. New, unwrapped toy donations can be dropped off on Dec. 3, 10 and 17 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Walmart, 1283 Broad St.

WINTER SHELTER

Community members can donate nonperishable, dry breakfast goods, such as granola bars, cereal bars and small milk cartons, to be given out to the Sumter United Ministries winter shelter seekers before they depart at 7 a.m. Donations and the extra helping hands are appreciated. Anyone interested can prepare food drives and even sign up for two to four hours to volunteer at the shelter, as it has to be staffed at all times. Volunteers will be joined by a staff member on these shifts. The Walker Hall building at Church of the Holy Comforter is the new location of the shelter at 213 N. Main St. The shelter opens from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. when temperatures are forecast to reach 40 degrees or below. If it is raining or sleeting, the shelter will open at 45 degrees or below.

FEED MY STARVING CHILDREN

The seventh-annual Feed My Starving Children event is scheduled for Friday-Saturday, Dec. 2-3, at Christ Community Church, 320 Loring Mill Road. Four two-hour packing sessions will allow the community to engage in "a powerful meal-packing experience to improve the lives of malnourished children around the world." The Christian nonprofit founded in 1987 tackles world hunger through packed, nutritious meals sent to orphanages, schools, clinics and feeding programs in nearly 70 countries to break the cycle of poverty

To donate or register for packing events, visit give.fmsc.org/sumterfeeds. For additional information about how your organization can get involved, email Sarah Bradham, event coordinator, at sep0617@yahoo.com or call (803) 968-1686 or Missy Reese at Christ Community Church via email at missy@cccsumter.com or call (803) 983-6352. Also, follow Sumter FMSC on Facebook and Instagram for up-to-date announcements.

If you would like your holiday charity or volunteer opportunity listed, send an email to pressrelease@theitem.com.