Giving help, getting help in the Midlands, Jan. 30

VOLUNTEERS

AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY needs volunteer drivers to transport patients to local medical facilities for cancer treatment. The Road to Recovery Program is seeking volunteers with a good driving record, valid driver’s license, automobile insurance and a vehicle in good working condition. Rides are needed 8 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday and the schedule is flexible to each volunteer’s availability. Fronde Merchant, fronde.merchant@cancer.org or (843) 744-1922.

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

LAWYERS 4 VETS is 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 line 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 who can 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.

DONATIONS

THE STUDENTS OF GLENFOREST school are asking for donations of new shoes to help in their “Barefoot for Bare Feet” movement and “Shoes for Hope Campaign.” Shoes can be dropped off 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday at Glenforest School, 1041 Harbor Dr, West Columbia, until the end of January. (803) 796-7622

THE GIVING TREE is accepting items for their Help and Hope hygiene kit such as: soap, toothbrushes, toothpaste, washclothes, deodorant, shampoo, tissues and hand sanitizers. Items can be dropped off from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Saturday at The Giving Tree, 421 Bush River Road. Kits will help the homeless, families in crisis, veterans and children in foster care. (803) 521-1881

SHARING GOD’S LOVE, a Christian ministry serving the 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, 2011 Bull St., will offer a 10 percent discount on any automotive service to customers donating phones. This is an ongoing effort. 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; 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, ravioli, spaghetti), 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.

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 ages 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.

GOOD NEIGHBORS

FREE 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. (803) 695-6701

W.R. ROGERS will be assisting with SC Thrive to offer free tax help. No filing fees will be charged to prepare and file state and federal taxes. Anyone making $65,000 or less is eligible. The free service will be offered from 1-6 p.m. Feb. 12 at the Rogers Center, 750 Clemson Road. Space is limited and an appointment is necessary. Call (803) 736-8787 to make an appointment.

FREE TAX FILING services provided at various locations in Sumter. Services include E-file 2014 taxes, direct deposit and processing taxes up to three years back. From Feb. 1- April 15. 9:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Wednesday at SC Works, 31 East Calhoun St, Sumter. Also from 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Friday, 3-8 p.m. Saturday and by appointment only at Goodwill, 1028 Broad Street, Sumter. For appointments and information, call (803) 240-8355

THE COOPERATIVE MINISTRY is offering free classes on how to enroll in the Health Insurance Marketplace. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Feb. 7 at Kershaw Public Library, 1304 Broad St, Camden. Noon-4 p.m. Feb. 13 at Lexington Public Library, 5440 Augusta Road, Lexington. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Feb. 14 and 2-6 p.m. Eb. 15 at Richland Library, 1431 Assembly St.

THE CHRISTIAN CHRISTMAS CLUB has two $800 book scholarships available to Richland 1 and Richland 2 graduating high school students who are in single-parent households. Qualifiying students should visit their school counselor’s office for details. Application deadline is April 15.

THE LOURIE CENTER is seeking nominations for the Senator Isadore E. Lourie Award for Excellence in Service to Seniors. Nominaions are open to individuals, companies or community groups who have made a significant impact on the lives of South Carolina seniors. Nominations are due Jan. 30 and forms are available at www.louriecentersc.com/about/lourieaward. (803) 779-1971 ext. 12

FUNDRAISERS

RACE FOR THE PLACE will be held at 8 a.m. on Feb. 21 in the Shandon area. The start line is behind St. Joseph’s Church. The price per person is $30 and all proceeds go to benefit the prorgams of St. Lawrence Place, including our after-school program for homeless children and adult life skills classes. For more information, visit www.strictlyrunning.com or www.stlawrenceplace.org

This story was originally published January 30, 2015 at 11:50 AM with the headline "Giving help, getting help in the Midlands, Jan. 30."