The Salvation Army is accepting participants for the next Introduction to “The Salvation Army Emergency Disaster Services” courses March 1-2.

The training is designed for new disaster workers with little or no experience and is a prerequisite for all other Salvation Army disaster training. Each class can accommodate 30 participants.

Volunteers will be introduced to The Salvation Army and its emergency disaster services program. They will learn about the history, mission and ministry of The Salvation Army and how the agency helps people.

Classes will be offered from 5-9 p.m. March 1 and again from 9 a.m.-noon March 2 at The Salvation Army Center for Worship & Service, 3024 Farrow Road, Columbia. Participants only need to attend one of the two classes.

“Maintaining a trained group of volunteers in the area of emergency disaster services is essential to us at The Salvation Army because these are the people we will call upon to help us during exercises and times of disaster,” said Maj. Roger Coulson, regional coordinator/corps officer at The Salvation Army of the Midlands.

To learn more about the training sessions contact Seth Taylor at (803) 667-4943.

Honoring senior service

Residents are being encouraged to nominate candidates for South Carolina’s outstanding senior volunteer and win support for their favorite senior charity.

Home Instead senior care is seeking the nominations as part of its The Salute to Senior Service program. The program honors the contributions of adults 65 and older who give at least 15 hours a month of volunteer service to their favorite causes.

“We all know seniors who do so much for our community,” said Rene Kilburn, owner of the Home Instead Senior Care office serving Richland and Lexington counties. “These silent heroes give selflessly, expecting nothing in return.”

Nominations will be accepted through March 31 and state winners will be selected during online voting at SalutetoSeniorService.com from April 15-30. A panel of senior care experts will select the national Salute to Senior Service honoree.

Home Instead Inc. will donate $500 to each of the state winners’ favorite nonprofit organizations, and their stories will be posted on the Salute to Senior Service Wall of Fame. Additionally, $5,000 will be donated to the national winner’s charity of choice.

To submit a nomination form and to view the contest’s official rules, visit SalutetoSeniorService.com. Completed nomination forms also can be mailed to Salute to Senior Service, P.O. Box 285, Bellevue, NE 68005.

March for Meals

Registration is being accepted for the 10th annual March for Meals 5K Run and Walk at Riverbanks Zoo and Garden.

Proceeds from the March 2 event will help Senior Resources provide home-delivered meals to homebound seniors in the Midlands.

The race will begin at 7:30 a.m. and runners and walkers will follow two separate courses with both groups finishing their final lap in the Greystone parking lot.

The registration fee is $25 for adult runners, $20 for adult walkers and $10 for children (12 and younger) until Feb. 15. Registration fees will increase $5 in each category after that time. Race-day registration is $35 for everyone. The runners will be capped at 500.

All participants will receive one one-day pass to Riverbanks Zoo & Garden to be used any day in March. T-shirts are guaranteed through Feb. 15 and will be available on a first-come, first-served basis after that point.

For more information or to register, visit seniorresources.org.

Technology judges needed

Judges are being sought for this year’s Technology Student Association’s State Conference March 9 at Airport High School.

The 30 competitive events at the high school and middle school levels include areas such as science, math and technology; digital photography; and problem solving.

Airport High School and Fulmer Middle School will have teams in this year’s competition.

Anyone with an expertise or interest in one of the competitive areas should call Nanette Stabler at (803) 822-5600, ext. 421.