GOOD NEIGHBORS
PAWMETTO LIFELINE, 1275 Bower Parkway, is offering free spay and neuter surgeries, rabies vaccinations and microchipping to pets of residents in the Richland County ZIP codes 29044, 29052 and the Lexington County ZIP of 29123; proof of address required. Spaying and neutering is safe for kittens as young as 8-10 weeks old, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. The program is sponsored by PetSmart Charities. To schedule an appointment, go to http://www.pawmettolifeline.org or call (803) 465-9100.
SOUTH CAROLINA YOUTH ADVOCATE PROGRAM, a licensed nonprofit child placing agency, is looking for dedicated adults to provide safe, nurturing homes for young people in foster care. For information on becoming a foster parent, call (800) 882-5513 or email tbradley@scyap.com.
FUNDRAISERS
A CHICKEN DINNER BARBECUE will be held noon-6 p.m. March 22 at Platt Springs United Methodist Church, 3215 Platt Springs Road, West Columbia. Dinners are $10 and include grilled chicken, slaw, beans and rolls. Proceeds will benefit Cindy’s Place, a joint-use initiative to transform a school playground (Springdale Elementary) into a community outdoor fitness park for people of all abilities. Advance tickets available at Springdale Town Hall, Discount Tire of West Columbia and Springdale Elementary School.
BOJANGLES has kicked off its 12th annual Shamrocks Against Dystrophy in-store fundraiser to send kids to MDA Summer Camp. Through Sunday, customers may support the Muscular Dystrophy Association by purchasing a green shamrock for $1; gold shamrocks are $5 (plus you get a coupon for a free Bo-Berry biscuit).
DONATIONS
LEXINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT DEPUTIES are working in partnership with Lexington 1 and Glenforest School head basketball coach William Knopf to collect new pairs of athletic shoes in sizes appropriate for youth and older teens as part of the Barefoot for Bare Feet Movement. Shoes collected by the Sheriff’s Department will be donated to Samaritan’s Feet, a nonprofit organization that provides shoes to children worldwide. Drop-off points (through March 24) include the Lexington County Law Enforcement Complex, 521 Gibson Road, Lexington; North Region Service Center, 111 Lincreek Drive, Columbia; South Region Service Center, 102 Airport Road, Pelion; West Region Headquarters, 4079-B Augusta Highway, Gilbert; Lexington High School, 2463 Augusta Highway, Lexington; and Lexington Technology Center, 2421 Augusta Highway, Lexington. Code Enforcement Officer Ty Haigler is coordinating the Sheriff’s Department participation; call him at (803) 223-1776.
ZOOBOT is partnering with Pawmetto Lifeline this school year (ZooBot is the school of zoological and biological sciences at Longleaf Middle School). Supplies needed include: paper towels, high efficiency laundry detergent, bleach, tall kitchen trash bags, 39-gallon trash bags, hand sanitizer, Zip-Lock storage bags (gallon and quart sizes), printer/copier paper, towels, rubbing (isopropyl) alcohol, hydrogen peroxide, distilled water, stamps, cleaning products (Lysol, Mr. Clean, Clorox wipes, etc.) and office supplies (pens, tape, paper clips, etc.). Donations may be dropped off 7:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. weekdays at 1160 Longgreen Parkway.
REACH OUT AND READ, an early literacy program providing books for children age 5 and younger during well-child visits at Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital, needs new book donations and contributions. Call Callee Boulware, (803) 434-2523.
PALMETTO HEALTH CHILDREN’S HOSPITAL is in need of stuffed animals for its pediatric patients. The animals will be given to patients and later taken home with the children. Because of infection control guidelines and respiratory illnesses, stuffed animals must be new and store-bought. If you are interested in giving, call Allison Jones at (803) 434-2151.
VOLUNTEERS
GIRL SCOUTS OF SOUTH CAROLINA – MOUNTAINS TO MIDLANDS is looking for adult volunteers to provide leadership opportunities to local Girl Scouts in Richland and Lexington counties. No experience is necessary, training is free. (803) 461-3737, (803) 461-3736; http://www.gssc-mm.org
SUNSET FELINES is in urgent need of reliable folks to spare an hour a week (mornings or late afternoons, weekdays and weekends) to assist with the feeding of several cat colonies in Lexington County. Ideal for retirees or those with flexible schedules. Also need foster homes, both short- and long-term; plus they have plenty of adoptable cats. (803) 794-5686; email thesunsetfelines@hotmail.com; http://www.sunsetfelines.com
FIDO DOG RESCUE is looking for volunteer foster families to care for rescued dogs until they find permanent homes. (803) 796-2390
THE IRMO CHAPIN RECREATION COMMISSION is seeking volunteers ages 18 and older to become nature interpreters at Saluda Shoals Park. Nature interpreters interact with and educate park guests in the Wetlands Preserve. Volunteers meet at 6-7:30 p.m. Tuesdays for training. No experience necessary; retirees welcome. Jeanette Wells, (803) 213-2051
