"Richland 101" - ABC's of Richland County Government

2008 Spring Session Begins Monday, March 17th

Richland 101, the hottest ticket to information about local services, kicks off the Spring session on Monday, March 17, 2008. Richland 101 is an exciting 6-week series on how County government works, spends tax dollars, educates children, protects public safety, and provides other vital services. The course now includes many field trips. Citizens tour the county jail, sheriff’s office, EMS facility, the judicial center and Midlands Tech's new Technology Center.

Visits to the Richland County Public Library and the Columbia Museum of Art have also been added to the line-up this year. Richland County elected officials and top managers teach these classes. Topics include the county budgeting process, garbage service, the courts, schools, zoning, animal control/care, and much, much more.

Classes are held Mondays and Thursdays from 6:00 - 8:00 PM in County Council chambers, at 2020 Hampton Street. At the end of the session, “graduates” attend a meeting of the Richland County Council where they get a firsthand view of local government in action. Continuing education credits from Midlands Technical College are available upon completion of Richland 101. To register for this free course, contact Richland County’s Public Information Office at 576-2062 or 576-2067.

REGISTER ONLINE

http://www.richlandonline.com/News/2008/Richland101Spring.asp

Project Pet Needs Volunteers!

UPCOMING VOLUNTEER ORIENTATION SESSIONS
Dates: February 5 & 19, March 11 & 25, April 8 & 22

Times: 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm

Location: 6880 St. Andrews Road
(Their interim facility located next to the new Little Caesar's Pizza Pizza!)

What: They will go over their mission as an animal welfare organization, general information regarding their rescue guidelines, adoption event information, and all their volunteer job opportunities available to animal lovers like you!

Website: http://www.projectpet.com/

Contact: Jeannie Frazier-Scott, Volunteer Coordinator

Phone: (803) 407-0991

Email: jfrazier-scott@projectpet.com

Please send Jeannie an email to confirm the date you will be attending.


ADOPTION EVENT VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Date: Saturday, February 9, 2008
Location: Harbison PetSmart, 246 Harbison Boulevard, Columbia, SC 29212*
Time: 11:30 am - 4:00 pm
(*Recurring adoption event location every Saturday)

Date: Saturday, February 9, 2008
Location: PupCakes, 2732 Devine Street, Columbia, SC 29205
Time: 12:00 pm - 5:00 pm

Date: Saturday, February 9, 2008
Location: Camp Bow Wow Grande Opening & Adopt-a-thon!, 1916 Taylor Street, Columbia, SC 29201
Time: 10:00 am - 2:00 pm


SAVE THE DATE!
Event: Bark to the Park
Date: April 27, 2008
More details to come!

Join Us for Our Next Adopt-A-Street Cleanup!

Adopt-A-Street Cleanup

COR has entered a two year agreement to participate in quarterly cleanups with the City of Columbia's Adopt-A-Street program offered through Keep the Midlands Beautiful. Our next scheduled cleanup is Saturday, February 9, 2008 from 9:00 am - 11:00 am. We have adopted a section of Hampton Street from Assembly Street to Harden Street and will meet at the Columbia Museum of Art. Please contact Mandi Engram to sign up to participate in the cleanups at mengram@columbiaauthority.com or sign up online now at http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=5984678299.

2008 Pickup Dates:
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Saturday, August 23, 2008

Final pickup in 2008 TBA

VIEW PHOTOS FROM PREVIOUS CLEANUPS

Providence Heart & Sole Race Volunteers Needed!

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteers help make the Heart & Sole Women's Five Miler possible. They need lots of hands for packet pick-up on Friday, May 16 as well as on event day, Saturday, May 17. Both male and female volunteers are welcome. Volunteers must be 16 years or older or accompanied by an adult. Church groups, scout troops, cheerleading squads and entertainers are encouraged to get involved!! Find out more and signup today!

Registration/Packet Pick-up Volunteers
They need volunteers to help hand out T-shirts and event packets on Friday, May 16 at Arsenal Hill on Laurel Street from 12 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Three-hour shifts are preferred, beginning at 11:30 a.m. Volunteers are also needed to help with packet pick-up on Saturday, May 17 at Arsenal Hill on Laurel Street near the start line. Shifts begin at 6 a.m. and last until 9 a.m.

Course Monitors
They need lots of enthusiastic volunteers to line their course and cheer on their participants! Volunteers report for duty around 7:30 a.m. and are stationed at various places along the course until about 11 a.m., when the last participants come through. If you'd like to make their runners and walkers feel special, sign up to be a course monitor! This volunteer duty is even more fun when shared with a friend or family member, so pairs of volunteers are welcome! (Children may volunteer as long as they are under the supervision of an adult.)

About Providence Heart & Sole
This unique, women’s only event pays tribute to the powerful role women play in the health of their families and friends. An event created by women and for women, the Providence Heart & Sole Women’s Five Miler donates a portion of its proceeds to help fight heart disease — the number one killer of women.

Sign up online and indicate you are a Columbia Opportunity Resource (COR) member in the comments section or email mengram@columbiaauthority.com.

St. Lawrence Place Volunteer Opportunties

Oyster Roast to benefit St. Lawrence Place
Date: Friday, February 15th
Time: 7:00 p.m.
Location: Home of Diana and Lee Ayers
825 Hampton Hill Road
Columbia, South Carolina

Needs:
Set-up Volunteers (Noon-6:00 p.m.)
Evening Raffle Volunteers (50/50 or game of choice)


Apartment Renovation
Renovate unit 55-A in order to prepare for new family. SLP has a budget of $1500 for the unit.

Needs:
paint
flooring
cabinets
repair needed windows
appliances
furniture and household items (used)
light fixtures


Children’s Program
Volunteers are needed Mondays, 2:30 – 8:00 p.m. and Tuesday, Wednesday and Fridays, 2:00 – 6:00 p.m. to work with the (30) children in the following areas:
craft projects
mentoring
homework assistance
outside games/activities
misc. special projects


Adult Program
Volunteers are needed who are willing to “adopt” a family and serve as a link to the community. Monetary donations are not the primary focus – the focus should be on mentoring and relationship-building.

Volunteers willing to lead an adult lifeskill class are also welcome. These classes are help on Monday nights, 6:30-8:00 and are mandatory for all residents. Subjects include empowerment, nutrition, parenting, budgeting, etc.

Contact: Lila Anna Sauls
Phone: 803.256.3999
Website: http://www.stlawrenceplace.org/