Around Town: Wednesday, June 19, 2024

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McLeod Health will host a class for those looking to increase their skills for babysitting. The course is on Friday, June 28, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at McLeod Health Clarendon. The cost is $35 per participant, and registration is required by calling (803) 435-5246. The course will cover safety skills, such as handling emergencies and online safety, child care duties and behavior management, first aid and choking rescue, and life and business skills. Lessons are filled with activities and role-playing exercises.

Refresh your driving skills and knowledge. eThe award-winning AARP Smart Driver four-hour course not only updates your awareness of new road design, traffic laws and how to adjust your driving to compensate for physical changes, but it may also qualify you for a multiyear discount on your car insurance. The class costs $20 for AARP members and $25 for non-members. Call or text Margaret at (830) 308-9241 for registration for the June 22 course at Jeffords Insurance, 40 N. Mill St., Manning, or Kelly at (803) 566-3141 for registration for the course at United Methodist Church, 17 E. Rigby St, Manning.

Complement your AARP Smart Driver course with a free CarFit event. CarFit is an assessment to improve your safety and comfort - and reduce the risk of injury during a crash - by making the proper adjustments to ensure your car "fits" you properly. The CarFit events follows the June 22 Smart Driver Course at Jeffords Insurance, 40 N. Mill St, Manning. You do not have to take the Smart Driver Course to attend. Call or text Margaret at (830) 308-9241 for registration.

The Palmetto Optimist Club's Burger Cookoff event returns to downtown Sumter Sept. 14 to help raise money for families battling childhood cancer, and the club is already looking for people to sign up. Teams interested in participating can email PalmettoOptimistClub@gmail.com for details.

Wateree Community Actions Inc. Head Start and Early Head Start programs serving low-income, disabled, homeless and foster children birth to 5 years old in Clarendon, Lee, Kershaw and Sumter counties is accepting applications for enrollment in Head Start and Early Head Start for the 2024-25 school year. Persons interested in enrolling their children should contact the Head Start Center serving their area of residence, call the administrative office of Watereee CAA Head Start Program at (803) 774-8520 or Early Head Start at (803) 440-8569 or apply online by clicking on the Head Start icon at www.wcai.org. Wateree Community Actions Inc. Head Start and Early Head Start Programs comply with the U.S. Department of Agriculture mandate that prohibits discrimination based on race, color, sex, age, disability or national origin. Transportation services are provided for children enrolled in the Head Start Program. Transportation services are not provided for Early Head Start.

The South Carolina Department of Employment and Workforce will host a Veteran Resource, Education and Job Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 9, at the South HOPE Center, 1125 S. Lafayette Drive, Sumter. Veterans are invited to visit with employers, veterans service organizations, community service organizations, career services, eduational institutions and more. Break-out sessions will be held on veteran benefits, financial planning, educational planning and resume writing. Veterans are encouraged to bring their resume and dress for success.

Trukuntry Steppas will hold its first free Back 2 School Bash from 3-7 p.m. Sunday, July 21, at 2035 N. Kings Highway, Dalzell. School supplies will be provided to each child. Non-perishable food donations will be accepted for the homeless shelter. Music will be provided by DJ Payme. Get ready to line dance. Vendors and food trucks are invited and asked to contact Donna at (803) 236-9863 or Shannie at (803) 972-0436.

If you have any used bicycles you no longer want, donate them to be fixed up and given to children at Christmas by dropping them off at any Sumter fire station in the city and county all year 'round. Palmetto Optimist Club is accepting the bicycles, in partnership with the Sumter Evening Optimist Club.

Clarendon County Healthy Counties Advisory Council in partnership with HopeHealth and McLeod Health Clarendon will hold a Men's Expo with free health screenings on Saturday, June 29, from 9 a.m. to noon at the Clarendon County Recreational Gym.