Giving help, getting help

A.C. FLORA DANCE SHOWCASE will be 6 p.m. tonight Friday in the school’s theater, 1 Falcon Drive. The event will feature dances created by students and dance director Katy Dallas. All proceeds will be donated to help victims of the Oct. 4 floods. General admission is $5. Children 12 and younger will be admitted free.

CENTRAL CAROLINA COMMUNITY FOUNDATION has opened nonprofit registration for Midlands Gives through Feb. 29. The 24-hour Midlands Gives local online giving challenge will be May 3. Register online midlandsgives.org. To learn more, visit yourfoundation.org, email midlandsgives@yourfoundation.org or call (803) 254-5601.

BE A SANTA TO A SENIOR PROGRAM will have Christmas trees with ornaments that list an area senior and his or her gift requests today at Chick-fil-A, 229 Bush River Road, and Pink Sorbet, 2726 Devine St. Unwrapped gifts can be dropped off at those locations. The program by Home Instead Senior Care and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department Project Hope will collect the items and distribute them to more than 200 seniors in need. (803) 736-4242; BeaSantatoaSenior.com

CITY OF COLUMBIA is seeking donations of canned fruit, vegetables, dry goods and canned meats through Dec. 21 for the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Honor the Dream Food Drive. The public can drop off donations at the following locations: City Hall, Columbia Tennis Center, Charles R. Drew Wellness Center, Earlewood Park, Emily Douglas Park, Greenview Park, Hampton Park Heathwood Park, Hyatt Park, Katheryn M. Bellfield Booker Washington Heights Cultural Arts Center, Lorick Park, Martin Luther King Jr. Park, Melrose Park, Pinehurst Park, St. Anna’s Park, Sims Park, Woodland Parks, City Human Resources, Columbia Fire Department Headquarters, Columbia Police Department Headquarters and Public Works. (803) 545-3100

COOPERATIVE MINISTRY will host its furniture drive to give to flood victims during business hours Monday through Friday, 3821 W. Beltline Blvd. The items accepted include beds, dressers, sofas, chairs, and dining tables and chairs. Appliances or electronics will not be accepted. Donated furniture must be gently used, be clean, have no stains, have no rips and have no peeling paint. To arrange a drop off, contact ygreen@coopmin.org, kmeador@coopmin.org, call (803) 799-3853 ext. 312 or call (803) 422-6081. Financial contributions can be made at coopmin.org.

FORT CLARK BAPTIST CHURCH is seeking donations of new or used toys, new or used clothing for parents and children and food, 421 Veterans Row, Elgin. (803) 438-5071

FRIENDS OF THE ANIMALS needs thrift donations. Sales from the items are used to take care of and feed dog and cats. Furniture, knickknacks, used pet items and other types of thrift donations are needed; drop off at The Black Dog Inn, 321 E. Columbia Ave., Batesburg-Leesville. (803) 604-1303

OPERATION SPREAD THE JOY is collecting items and monetary donations through Dec. 20 at Debi & Co Salon, 4201-B Dutch Fork Road, Chapin, and Salon Bella, 4711 Forest Drive, Unit 17. Volunteers are collecting the following items: fleece blankets, men’s gloves, ChapStick, razors, combs, men’s athletic socks, ponchos, umbrellas, full bars of soap, hand sanitizer, toothbrushes, adult knit hats, deodorant, scarves, hygiene wipes, toothpaste, small packages of pads and panty liners, water bottles, travel-sized hygiene products, peanut butter crackers, chips, candy, reusable grocery blags and Little Debbie snack cakes. The items collected will be distributed Christmas Event at Hope Plaza and Christ Central Ministries. For more information, visit the “Operation Spread the Joy” Facebook event for more information.

PROVIDENCE HOME is seeking donations of men’s flip-flops for showering, men’s boxer briefs, bath towels, basic computers, Lowe’s gift certificates, financial contributions and group meals for men on weekends, 2421 N. Main St. The facility houses up to 50 men, many of whom are military veterans struggling with homelessness and substance abuse. (803) 779-2927

SISTERCARE, a shelter for battered women and their children, is in need of paper products and personal hygiene items. Drop off donations from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday at Sistercare Administration Office, 1820 Morlaine Drive, Cayce. Find a complete list of needs at www.sistercare.org.

TOYS FOR TOTS is hosting its annual “Fill the MRAP campaign the next couple weeks by collecting new and unwrapped toys in Lexington at Target 9 a.m. to noon Monday and Kmart from 9 a.m. to noon Saturday and Tuesday. The objective is to fill the Lexington Police Department’s Emergency Services Team’s MRAP vehicle with toy donations. Lexington PD will also collect toys at its 111 Maiden Lane location on weekdays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

VETS’ CHRISTMAS CHARITY RIDE is collecting items to give to veterans at Dorn Veterans Affairs Hospital through Sunday. Gift suggestions include socks, gloves, throw blankets, sweatshirts, sweatpants, T-shirts, large bath robes, underwear, scarves, slippers, toilet articles, cookies without nuts, gift cards, soft candy, small radios, backpacks, phone cards, all caps and cash gifts. The drop-off locatiosn include Carolia Honda, All American Heating and Air, AllSouth Federal Credit Unions, Carolina Chrome, Harley Haven, Truck Supply of S.C., The Flight Deck in Lexington and Palmetto Propane and Mitchell Printing & Graphics in Batesburg. (803) 252-3381; vetsride.org

GENERATIONS OF IRMO is seeking volunteers to sing Christmas carols, 7142 Woodrow St., Irmo. Contact Director of Activities Susie Elgin, (803) 318-5726

HISTORIC COLUMBIA is looking for volunteers willing to donate nine or more hours a month. Volunteer opportunities include giving tours, museum maintenance, gardening, administrative work and helping with educational programs. (803) 252-1770, ext. 24, bkleinfelder@historiccolumbia.org or historiccolumbia.org

SUNSET FELINES is in need of people to spare an hour a week (mornings or late afternoons, weekdays and weekends) to assist with feeding of cat colonies in Lexington County. Ideal for retirees or those with flexible schedules. Also need foster homes, both short and long term; plus plenty of adoptable cats. (803) 794-5686 or email thesunsetfelines@hotmail.com

COLUMBIA AND LEXINGTON ANIMAL SERVICES are holding a Home for the Holidays adoption special this month at their locations at 127 Humane Lane, Columbia, and 321 Ball Park Road, Lexington. Fees for adopting a new pet or reclaiming a lost pet is $40. All adoptions fees include spaying and neutering, microchip, feline leukemia and heartworm testing, initial vaccines and deworming.

SPIRIT OF TRUTH CHRISTIAN CHURCH is giving away water, canned goods and clothes for residents affected by the Oct. 4 flood. Items are available for pickup at the church, 4201 Abingdon Road, Mondays and Tuesdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. and Wednesdays 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. through Dec. 31. Donations can also be dropped off at the church.

This story was originally published December 10, 2015 at 7:00 PM with the headline "Giving help, getting help."