Giving help, getting help in the Midlands, Oct. 14

VOLUNTEERS

HISTORIC COLUMBIA is starting their new volunteer training at 9 a.m. on Nov. 10, 1601 Richland St. The event begins with a three-hour orientation and additional training will be offered depending on the volunteer’s role withinin the organization. HC is looking for volunteers to donate six or more hours a month and offers volunteer benfits as well. For more information, call (803) 252-1770 ext. 24 or visit historiccolumbia.org

LEXINGTON COUNTY’S Stormwater Consortium needs people to help educate the community about protecting waterways. Stormwater and everything that gets picked up by it (trash, pet waste, pesticides, fertilizers, chemicals, heavy metals, etc.) flows directly into our streams, rivers and lakes. During Storm Drain Tagging Month (September), staff and volunteers will tag storm drains with markers stating “No dumping … drains to waterway.” If you would like to participate, call (803) 785-8634 or email slicher@lex-co.com

SC VETERANS have served our state and our nation and now you can help them by volunteering at your local VA medical center or VA outpatient clinic. For more information, call Dorn VA Medical Center Voluntary Services at (803) 695-6780 or visit www.columbiasc.va.gov

CONGAREE NATIONAL PARK rangers have begun a project to re-mark more than 20 miles of trails in the park. The project will replace color coding with numbers associated with each trail. Hikers will find brown tabs with reflective stickers marking trees along Congaree’s trails when the project is finished. Maps and brochures will be updated but there will be an overlap between the two systems until all publications are changed. Volunteers are needed to assist with the trail marking project. Training will be provided. For information, call Park Ranger Lindsay Compton at (803) 647-3965 or email lindsay_compton@nps.gov

LAWYERS 4 VETS, a pro bono legal clinic for lower-income veterans in South Carolina at the Dorn VA Medical Center, 6439 Garners Ferry Road. Lawyers 4 Vets will connect lower-income veterans living at or below 200 percent of the federal poverty guidelines with local attorneys who can provide one-on-one pro bono legal advice or representation in matters such as obtaining identification (Social Security, S.C. ID, birth certificates); child support and visitation issues in South Carolina; expungements and pardons in South Carolina; consumer protection; health care powers of attorney and simple wills. To be screened for an appointment call (877) 289-6000. Clinics are by appointment only. Attorneys interested in volunteering or anyone interested in supporting the clinic should call (803) 779-1113, ext. 113 or http://scjusticewatch.org

SUNSET FELINES is in urgent need of people 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 or email thesunsetfelines@hotmail.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 COMM ISSIONis seeking volunteers age 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

DAYBREAK PREGNANCY CENTER is seeking female volunteers in several areas. The center needs volunteer counselors, hot line volunteers, teen volunteers, parenting/childbirth volunteer teachers, post-abortion class leaders, baby boutique volunteers, receptionists and office assistants. The center also needs male mentors and mailing clerical volunteers. Adults only; training will be provided. Daybreak has offices in downtown Columbia and Lexington and needs assistance at both sites. (803) 771-6634

REAL MEN READ WEEK from Oct. 20-24 at Doby’s Mill Elementary School is looking for “Real Men Readers” who would like to join this program. Volunteers are welcome to read for as little as 15 minutes or several hours. For more information call Elizabeth Long at (803) 438-4055 or email elizabeth.long@kcsdschools.net

GOOD NEIGHBORS

FREE DIABETES EDUCATION will be offered from 3:30-4:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at Providence Hospitals Downtown, 2435 Forest Dr. Learn how to better manage diabetes and remain healthy. Registration is required. (803) 256-5463

TIP A COP hosted by Red Robin will take place from 11 a.m-2 p.m. and from 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Saturday at Red Robin, 247 Forum Dr. Law enforcement will be waiting tables.

2014 COLUMBIA BUDDY WALK will take place from 1-5 p.m. Sunday at Sesquicentennial State Park. This is a day to celebrate the Down syndrome community and to promote acceptance and inclusion. The event is free and includes bounce houses, food, games, music and fun. For more information visit www.familyconnectionsc.org

FLU SHOTS FOR VETERANS are now available from 8 a.m-4 p.m. Monday-Friday at the William Jennings Bryan Dorn VA Medical Center and from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday-Friday at Dorn’s Mental Health Clinics. These seasonal flu shots are available at no cost to veterans to help keep them healthy. For more information, call (803) 695-6701

FREE CAR INSPECTIONS are being offered by Suddeth Automotive from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. until the end of October at 1410 North Millwood Ave. Offered in conjunction with the National Fall Car Care Month, participants are invited to call (803) 259-2110 to set up an appointment. Drop-ins are also welcome.

HEALTH CARE FORUM for those in need of information for health coverage through the marketplace. The Community Relations Council in partnership with Richland Library is hosting a forum from 6-7:30 p.m. Oct. 22 at the Richland Library, 1431 Assembly St. Various presenters will provide the community with important healthcare enrollment information. For questions or more information, call Lee Patterson at (803) 231-6383

ELECTRONICS WASTE RECYCLING is open to residents with computers, televisions, cell phones and more from 9 a.m.-noon on Oct. 18 at West Columbia City Hall, 200 N. 12th St. There will also be paper shredding. No refrigeration units or appliances that contain freon of any kind. (803)771-1139; www.keepthemidlandsbeautiful.org

FUNDRAISERS

EAU CLAIRE COMMUNITY COUNCIL will host a spaghetti dinner fund raiser from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m. and 5:30-8 p.m. on Friday at 3907 Ensor Ave. Tickets are $8 at the door. Visit www.eauclairecommunity.org

WITCH’S NIGHT OUT: 6-7:30 p.m. Thursday at Deceased Farm. Leave the ghouls and little goblins at home, this event features food from The Farmer’s Shed, custom brew from Krafty Draft and entertainment by DJ Ronny Lane. All proceeds benefit the Palmetto Health Foundation. Tickets are $40 and can be purchased at witchs-night-out.eventbrite.com. www.deceasedfarm.com

MAYOR’S CAMPAIGN AGAINST BREAST CANCER ISABEL LAW BREAKFAST will take place 6-9 a.m. Oct. 17 at the City Hall parking lot, 1737 Main St. Tickets are $7 and the proceeds will go to Palmetto Health Foundation for the Bosom Buddies Fund. Tickets can be purchased at Fire Department Headquarters, 1800 Laurel Street; City Hall, 1737 Main Street; Palmetto Health Foundation, 1600 Marion Street; Police Department, No. 1 Justice Square; Eau Claire Payment Center, 3905 Ensor Avenue; Public Works, 2910 Colonial Drive; Washington Square Payment Center, 1136 Washington Street. ( 803) 545-3020 or pio@columbiasc.net.

GO LEO GO RUN AND WALK FOR SMA: 5K run/1 mile family walk 8 a.m. Oct. 25 at Carolina Tan Factory Parking Lot 7577 St. Andrews Road, Irmo. Proceeds go towards Leo Bugenske’s medical equipment and expenses and research for Spinal Muscular Atrophy. Pricing is $30 . Register at www.runhard.org/pages/leo.php; (803) 730-6732

HULATHON FOR BREAST CANCER AWARENESS and speical private auction event 5-7 p.m. Oct. 25 at North Springs Park, 1320 Clemson Road. Registration is $25 per person and there will be free T-shirts. For more information, (706) 251-0470

RCA DELTA SIGMA THETA are presenting the Distinguished Men of the Shield Charity Auction at 6 p.m. Oct. 29 at the Clarion Hotel at 1615 Gervais St. The event will be held along with the City of Columbia Police.

AN EVENING AT THE FARM in suppport of Christian Assisantance Bridge will be from 6-9 p.m. Nov. 6 at The Farm at Ridgeway. Individual tickets for the gala are $50 and sponsorships are available starting at $500. For more information about tickets and sponsorships, please contact Aggie Davis Jones at aggiedavis65@gmail.com or (803) 403-4408

DONATIONS

SEASONAL ITEMS NEEDED, including gently used jackets, coats, sweaters and other items. The goal is 1,000 coats for children in need. Donations are accepted daily from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at The Giving Tree, 421 Bush River Road.

FAMILY PROMISE OF THE MIDLANDS, a ministry dedicated to addressing the needs of the homeless, is in need of storage space, 20x20 or larger until the end of the year and preferably beyond. http://familypromisemidlands.org

THE HEALING FAMILIES FOUNDATION is launching the Giving Society during National Recovery Month (September). Healing Families works to reduce addiction as a leading cause of family collapse and harm to children by promoting and supporting treatment for families and their loved ones who struggle with substance abuse. Helping Families’ primary fund provides scholarships to individuals who cannot afford treatment at LRADAC. The first level of giving is $25, although supporters may give more. Information at http://healingfamiliesfoundation.org/givingsociety

SHARING GOD’S LOVE, a Christian ministry serving the poor and needy in the Irmo, St. Andrews and Ballentine communities, is seeking donations of sheets and towels (may be used but in good condition), jelly, spaghetti sauce, noodles, laundry detergent, shampoo, deodorant, dishwashing liquid, toothpaste, tooth brushes, bar soap and toilet paper. http://sharinggodslove.net

BETSY’S GARAGE and Cellphones for Soldiers are asking Columbia residents to help troops call home by donating gently used cellphones for recycling. For every donated phone valued at $5, the nonprofit will be able to provide overseas troops 2.5 hours of free talk time on prepaid international calling cards. Betsy’s Garage, at 2011 Bull St., will offer a 10 percent discount on any automotive service to customers donating phones. They’re in it for the long haul, they say, and donations may be dropped off during business hours, 8 a.m.-6 pm. weekdays and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturdays. (803) 929-0013; http://cellphonesforsoldiers.com

THE SALVATION ARMY OF THE MIDLANDS needs to replenish its food pantry. Items needed include meals in a can (chicken and dumplings, stew, chili, lasagna, Spaghettio’s), rice, pasta, instant mashed potatoes, peanut butter, canned foods with pop-top lids, low-sugar cereals, 100 percent fruit juices, canned fruit packed in juice, canned vegetables (low salt), diapers and toilet paper. Donations will be accepted 10 a.m.-4 p.m. weekdays at the Salvation Army Center for Worship & Service, 3024 Farrow Road. (803) 754-7109

THE LEXINGTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPARTMENT is accepting used cellphones for donation to Cellphones for Soldiers, which will sell the phones to a recycling company in order to buy prepaid phone calling cards for U.S. military personnel who have been deployed outside the United States. The phones do not have to be in working order, personal information and photographs should be deleted prior to donation. Donations may be dropped off through Sept. 30 at the Lexington County Law Enforcement Complex, 521 Gibson Road; the North Region Patrol District Office, 111 Lincreek Drive, Columbia; and the Chapin Patrol District Office, 103 Columbia Ave., Chapin. (803) 785-0801

DONATE, DON’T DUMP, an initiative of the Salvation Army of the Midlands, encourages people to drop off clothing, household items, furniture, etc., at the Family Store, 1312 Millwood Ave. Store hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. weekdays and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturdays. You can call (803) 748-9964 for items to be picked up.

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.

This story was originally published October 13, 2014 at 10:15 PM with the headline "Giving help, getting help in the Midlands, Oct. 14."