Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009

Milestones

COMMUNITY

ELEVEN OFFICERS WITH THE COLUMBIA POLICE DEPARTMENT were promoted Nov. 6. Officers with their new ranks and years of service are Sgt. Jeffery Dickey, 12 years; Sgt. Darin Dougherty, 19 years; Sgt. Ronald Felder, 13 years; Sgt. Derek Miller, 17 years; Sgt. Chris Stokes, 23 years; Cpl. Michael Blair, 22 years; Cpl. Bryant Ham, 7 years; Cpl. Mary Holmes, 15 years; Cpl. Christopher Jolly, 18 years; Cpl. Wallis Lacey, 8 years; and Investigator James Charley, 21 years.

HELEN BELL of Columbia was banner bearer in the Parade of Colors at the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars' celebration of the 123rd anniversary of the Statue of Liberty. During the ceremony, the group's national president delivered a donation of $3,000 to the monument's superintendent, who said it will help create a winter solstice celebration kickoff to educate youth and further community outreach.

CORPORATE

SOX & FREEMAN LANDSCAPING is contributing $2,725 in services to Randolph Cemetery. The cemetery, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is the burial place of nine black Reconstruction-era legislators, civil rights pioneers and other influential African-Americans. The project, which consists of removal, trimming and pruning of trees, will get under way Monday.

BIRTHS

PALMETTO HEALTH RICHLAND

BORN OCT. 26, 2009

A girl to Pamela and Mike Hoover

BORN OCT. 27, 2009

A boy to Malikah T. and

Yasser A. Hassanein

A girl to Lindsay and James Webster III

BORN OCT. 28, 2009

A girl to Octavia Thompson and

William Aguilar

A girl to Ericka Worthy and

Ervin Jefferson

A boy to Teresa and Brad Freeman

A boy to Shavisa Byrd and

Kentrell Ravenell

A boy to Amanda Lighty and

Travis Friday

Twin boys to Kristen E. and

Ronnie Hildebrand Jr.

BORN OCT. 29, 2009

A boy to Sara and Will Green

A girl to Jennifer and Marc Sightler

BORN OCT. 30, 2009

A girl to Moesha Mae Sumpter

A boy to Patrice Woodward and

Antonio Holmes

BORN OCT. 31, 2009

A boy to Tiffany S. Hunter and

Channing S. Gary

A girl to Alexandria Guidry and

Jeremie Howell

BORN NOV. 1, 2009

Twin girls to Precious N. Myers and

Kadeem K. Canty

COMMUNITY NEEDS

VOLUNTEERS

AARP is seeking volunteers to fill positions of coordinator, instructor and marketer for its Driver Safety Program. (803) 781-4726; e-mail acalltome@bellsouth.net

SAMARITAN'S PURSE is looking for volunteers to prepare, pack and process shoe box gifts for Operation Christmas Child. National Collection Week is Monday through Sunday, Nov. 23, but the project is a year-round effort to help underprivileged children on six continents. Information at www.samaritanspurse.org

THE AMERICAN RED CROSS OF CENTRAL SOUTH CAROLINA is seeking volunteers in the following areas: administrative, disaster, grants, heroes, philanthropy, public affairs and special events. Volunteer activities include responding to local disasters, writing Red Cross stories, raising money, conducting grant research and placing thank-you calls to monetary donors. Disaster Services Orientation sessions are held 6-9 p.m. the first Monday monthly at 2751 Bull St. For more information, call (803) 540-1217 or go to www.centralscredcross.org.

THE STATE MUSEUM needs volunteer docents to give tours, teach lessons and help in other ways at the museum, 301 Gervais St. Benefits include a discount at the museum store and opportunities to learn about South Carolina's art, natural history, culture, science and technology. (803) 898-4912 or e-mail jennifer.lee@scmuseum.org

KEEP THE MIDLANDS BEAUTIFUL needs 15-20 volunteers for its Tailgate Recycling program at the State Fairgrounds parking lot preceding the USC-Clemson football game Saturday, Nov. 28. T-shirts identifying them as part of the recycling team will be provided, and volunteers will be finished before kickoff. Heidi Johnson, (803) 733-2526

ROAD TO RECOVERY is a program that provides cancer patients with transportation to and from treatments. Training is weekly at the American Cancer Society office, 128 Stonemark Lane. Volunteers must have a driver's license, good driving record and a reliable vehicle. Lang Hunt, (803) 750-1693

RELIANT HOSPICE is seeking volunteers to assist its network of caregivers. Volunteers do not need medical experience. Opportunities range from patient companionship and assisting with home improvement projects to running errands and providing patient transportation to doctor visits. Health screening and SLED background check required. Call (803) 798-1102 or go to www.relianthospice.com for training information.

RONALD McDONALD HOUSE CHARITIES OF COLUMBIA is looking for volunteers for the Ronald McDonald Family Room at Palmetto Health Richland Children's Hospital, the Ronald McDonald House and McMeals. (803) 254-0118, ext. 11 or e-mail jkrmhc@bellsouth.net

LEXINGTON COUNTY VOLUNTEER GUARDIAN AD LITEM PROGRAM is seeking people to serve as advocates for children who come into foster care because of abuse or neglect. GAL volunteers work with all agencies involved with the child, including the Department of Social Services, the Family Court, school and counselors. Volunteers must be at least 21, have the desire to work with children, the ability to pass background checks and complete the 30-hour training program. Call (803) 957-6484 or go to www.lexington.scgal.org for an application.

ROLLING READERS, a nonprofit children's literacy program, is seeking volunteers to read aloud or tutor children in reading. Sessions are held at local schools, after-school programs, child development centers, shelters, children's homes and churches. (803) 733-READ or e-mail rollingreaders@sc.rr.com

DONATIONS

FRIENDS OF THE LEXINGTON MAIN LIBRARY accepts donations of gently used books, magazines, movies and music for its ongoing book sale. Items may be dropped off at 5440 Augusta Road, Lexington. Tax donation forms available; proceeds help support children's reading programs at the library. Marlena White, (803) 261-8697

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