Americus
Christmas Parade: The City of Americus’ Christmas Parade is at 7 p.m. Dec. 3 downtown. If anyone is interested in participating in this year’s parade, call the Americus Welcome Center at 229-928-6059.

Movie Presentation: The Americus Rotary Club sponsors a special movie presentation, “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” at 7 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Rylander Theatre. Tickets are $10 general admission. Call 229-931-0001 or rylander.org. Proceeds benefit Harvest of Hope Food Pantry.

Food Fundraiser: Come see National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation!  Fundraiser for Harvest of Hope Food Pantry families to buy food for Christmas. Sponsored by the Rotary Club of Americus, the movie is at 7 p.m. Dec. 4 at the Rylander Theater. Tickets are $10. Purchase at the box office; call 229-931-0001 or buy online www.rylander.org

Photo Contest: River Valley River Commission sponsors a photo contest of Christmas photos from area residents. Deadline for entry is Dec. 13. Online voting is Dec. 14-21 on the RVRC Farecbook page www.facebook.com/rivervalleyrc, and the winner will be announced Dec. 23. Photo with the most likes to be featured on the 2016 RVRC Christmas card. Contest rules and entry form available at www.rivervalleyrc.org (clock on News and Events).

Free Tree Spraying: The Americus Fire & Emergency Services sprays Christmas trees with fire retardant free through Dec. 23 at Station 1 at the Russell Thomas Public Safety Bulding, South Lee Street.

Leadership Development: The Advancing Sumter Community Leadership Development Program is accepting applications for its 2016 sessions. Classes are held from 5:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays from Jan. 19 – April 5. Applications are found at www.sumtercountychamber.com. Select Chamber of Commerce, Workforce Development Division, Advancing Sumter.Fee is $50. Deadline for applications is Dec. 4. For information call Archway Professional Mary Alice Applegate, 229-938-9385 or mapple@uga.edu; or Andrea Oates, 229-931-2705 or aoates@southgatech.edu.

Elves for Seniors: Innovative Senior Solutions (ISS), Caring 4 Seniors Foundation, and Eazy Ride Auto Sales is collecting gifts to distribute to seniors and disables individuals in the community. Items being collected are blankets, socks, gloves, toiletries, groceries, gift cards, crossword puzzles, etc. The participating schools will receive a special prize from ISS. Drop off donations at 231 W. Lamar St., or 912 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Deadline is Dec. 9. For information call Donna Whitt, 2290928-3673, ext. 109.

Food Service Training: Servsafe Training for Food Service Managers is Jan 25 and 26. Pre-registration is required by Jan. 8. Cost is $140. Call 924-4476 for more information or stop by the Sumter County Extension Office, Sumter County Agricultural Center, 127 William Bowen Pointe.

Ongoing
Americus
Relay for Life Shirt: Americus Fire & Emergency Services’ new 2015 t-shirts are in and ready for sale. Call Harriett Williams at 924-3213 to order. Funds go toward Relay for Life.

Volunteers Needed: Learning for Everyone Inc. (LEAP) is seeking volunteers for its Mentor Partnership with the Sumter County School System. Volunteers will mentor children in the grades 3-9. Interested applicants may check out our website at www.learningforeveryone.org or contact Brittany Dawson, Mentor coordinator at 229-924-9443 or bdawson@learningforeveryone.org. They may also attend our mentor trainings. Mentor trainings are held at 5:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month at 200 Cotton Ave.

Volunteers Needed: The Flint River Chapter of the American Red Cross seeks volunteers willing to invest time in Disaster Preparedness Education for our chapter and the surrounding areas. We are looking for dedicated individuals that are willing to speak and train others on what to do before, during and after a disaster. Any volunteer with time on his/her hands is an excellent candidate for this program. This is of vital importance to our area as we never know when a disaster will happen. Call Marvin Grace, Community Disaster Educator at 229-733-9738 or the chapter at 229-436-4845 for more information.

Weight Watchers: Weight Watchers meets Thursdays at First Presbyterian Church, 125 S. Jackson St. Weigh-in is at 5 p.m., followed by meeting at 5:30 p.m. Visit weightwatchers.com

Become a Mentor:  LEAP “Learning for Everyone … Avenue to Progress” continues to provide mentorship to elementary, middle and ninth-grade academy students and free adult education classes to the citizens of Sumter County. LEAP is currently accepting applications for the 2013-2014 school year. Applicants need to be 18 or older and commit 30 minutes per week for one academic school year. For more information or to make a donation, contact Brittany Dawson at leapcis@gmail.com or call at 229-924-9443.

Mustard Seed House: Calvary Episcopal Church’s Mustard Seed House is open from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. every Saturday on Brannan Avenue. Stop by for some great deals.

Al-Anon: You do not have to be an alcoholic to suffer from the effects of alcoholism. Al-Anon offers a safe place to recover from the effects of another person’s drinking. Meetings are 7-8 p.m. Tuesdays at the AA Clubhouse, Ga. Highway 30. All meetings are confidential and open to interested persons.

A.A. Meetings: Alcoholics Anonymous meets from 3-4 p.m. Wednesdays at New Beginnings and the Addiction Recovery Center of Middle Flint Behavioral Healthcare, 952 Anthony St. (across from GSW baseball field). Call 928-2201 for more information.

Help Available: The ROAD Program (Reaching Out to Assess Dementia) is a free and confidential memory screening. The  goal at the Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving is to screen for memory loss and refer for further follow-up, as indicated. Stay active in your care and decision making. Call today for free screening 229-928-1234.

GED Testing Hours: GED testing at the Stein Center are 8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, and the first Saturday of each month.

Recycling Project: 4-E Learning & Prevention Center Inc. is sponsoring a recycling project. Call 928-5605 to make arrangements for delivery or pick-up of large items. Bring other items to the 4-E Center, 1405 First Montgomery St. All types of metals are needed such as old vehicles, bikes, electronics, microwave ovens, file cabinets, appliances, etc.; aluminum items; paper items such as old books, magazines, etc.; plastics such as water and drink bottles and other items; and ink cartridges of all sizes, brands and kinds.

4-E Learning & Prevention Center: After School program for K-8th grade students is 2:30-5:30 p.m. Monday-Friday. Registration fee is $25 or $60 for pickup from school. You might be eligible for free or reduced child care. Contact DFCS. To register, call 928-5605 or e-mail fourecenter@yahoo.com or apply online at www.compass.ga.gov

Youth Mentoring: Love & Mercy Outreach Programs Inc. presents the S.O.L.A.C.E. Youth Mentoring Program from 7-8 p.m. every Saturday at 1243 Faith St. Annex Building; LMOP Inc. Activities Center. All teens ages 12-18 are welcome. For more information or for a ride, contact Tanya Reese 229-591-2565 or Qaijuan Willis 229-942-7220. Also e-mail us at solaceyouthprogram@gmail.com

Anonymous Crime Tipline: The Americus Police Department has an anonymous crime tip line 924-4102. Citizens can leave information for police about crime in their neighborhood or other areas. The calls are completely anonymous.

Faith Clinic: Sumter Faith Clinic is a non-profit organization directed at meeting the spiritual and health care needs of residents of Sumter County who do not have health insurance or an affordable means to health care. Services include basic, non-emergent medical care of acute conditions as well as treatment of some chronic conditions. Services are delivered by volunteers. The clinic is located at 127 S. Jackson St. next to First Presbyterian Church. Hours of operation are 6-9 p.m. Mondays and 1- 5 p.m. Thursdays.

CPR Classes: Americus Fire and Emergency Services will offer American Heart Association CPR certification classes. Call Harriett Williams at 924-3213 for more information.

Water Restrictions: The City of Americus has implemented the following water restrictions, established by the State Environmental Protection Division. Outdoor water use for the purpose of planting, growing, managing, or maintaining ground cover, trees, shrubs, or other plants is allowed daily, but limited to between the hours of 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. Outdoor water use for any purposes other than watering of plants, such as power washing or residential car washing, is limited to an odd/even address watering schedule. Odd numbered addresses can water on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. Even numbered addresses are allowed to water on Mondays, Wednesdays and Saturdays. For more information please call 924-4411 ext. 232.

Drug Problems: Narcotics Anonymous meets 7:30-8:30 p.m. Mondays for members only. A meeting open to the public is held 7:30-8:30 p.m. Thursdays. All meetings are held at Williams Road Church of Christ. Call George C. 942-3752 or Charlie S. 938-0218 for more information.

Volunteers Needed: Phoebe Sumter Hospice, a local nonprofit, is looking for volunteers to serve as a member of the hospice team by sharing skills and interests in a manner that provides comfort and enriches the quality of life for those served. As a volunteer you serve with patients or help in the office with staff. If you are interested please call Belinda Bond at 229-931-7421/ the office 229-928-4000 or email nfranklin@phoebesummter.org

Needs Volunteers: The Mattie Marshall Center is looking for volunteers to help do activities. Do you play an instrument, sing, dance or have a club or group that would like to come visit? We need volunteers of all ages and types for parties, Bingo, exercise, church services, snacks, etc. For information call Nikki Jones 924-9352, ext. 3089.

Ambassadors Needed: The Ambassadors of the Americus-Sumter County Chamber of Commerce are looking for new members. Chamber member businesses are invited to nominate someone to join this elite group of business minded individuals who perform volunteer work on behalf of the Chamber. Call 924-2646 for information.

Free Classes: Free GED classes are 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Mondays in Sumter, Schley, Marion, Macon, Webster and Crisp counties. For information call 931-7323.

Share Group: The Grief Share Group meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Monday of every month at First Baptist Church, South Lee Street. Meetings are open to anyone grieving the death of a loved one. For information, call the church office at 924-9035 or Ann Creel Beaver at 924-7652.

Support Group: The Alzheimer’s and Dementia Support Group meets from noon-1:30 p.m. the first Tuesday of every month in the Magnolia Room at Magnolia Manor Retirement Center. A light lunch will be served.

Substance Abuse: Love and Mercy Outreach programs presents Alpha and Omega Substance Abuse and Awareness Program from 6-7 p.m. every Saturday at 511-D W. Forsyth St. All people with alcohol and drug addiction issues and their friends and family are welcome. For more information or for a ride, call James Ross 229-331-4746 or William Wallace 229-331-8160.

American Legion: American Legion Post 2 meets at 7 p.m. the fourth Monday of each month.

Lodge Meeting: M.B. Council Lodge No. 13, F&AM meets at 7 p.m. first and third Tuesday of very month at the Masonic Temple, 1209 Crawford St.

Pilot Club: The Americus Pilot Club meets (focuses on brain-related injuries and disorders) meets at 6 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month in the Magnolia Room, Magnolia Manor Retirement Center, South Lee Street.

Soup Kitchen: The Soup Kitchen, at 437 S. Hampton St., is open at 6 p.m. every Wednesday to all in need.

Volunteers Needed: SOWEGA Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA), office serving a six-county area, needs volunteers to work with abused and neglected children who are involved in the court system. A CASA volunteer advocates for the child’s best interest before the court. Training classes are available soon. For more information, call 931-4488.

Family Workshop: Who would make your final health care decisions if you couldn’t make them for yourself? The Critical Conditions Family Workshop can help you and your loved ones talk about these issues before decisions might have to be made. The CRITICAL Conditions Family Workshop is free! If you are aware of a group who would be interested in participating in a workshop presented by United Hospice of Cordele, call contact Jana Dew at 1-800-288-8466.

Adult Reading Skills: Adult Literacy Action Inc. has several openings for adult individuals interested in improving their reading skills. The organization is affiliated with the Lake Blackshear Regional Library. Volunteer tutors are available to work with individuals on a one-on-one basis. Generally sessions are held one or two times a week for about an hour. Training materials are furnished at no charge. If interested, call 924-9010.

Recovery Program: Doing things the same never brings change. Got problems? Drugs, divorce, alcohol, porn; it doesn’t matter. Join us at 7 p.m. every Monday at 245 Southland Road for Celebrate Recovery. Contact us at 924-7409 or 937-2966 for more information or visit www.cornerstoneamericus.com and click on Celebrate Recovery.

Al-Anon: You do not have to be an alcoholic to suffer from the affects of alcoholism. We offer a safe place to recover from the effects of another person’s drinking. Meetings are 7-8 p.m. Tuesdays at the Carswell House, Calvary Episcopal Church, 133 Brannan Ave.. All meetings are confidential and open to interested persons.

Girls Rock: 4-E Learning & Prevention Center Inc., 802 Ashby St., sponsors Girls R.O.C.K. (Respecting Ourselves with Charisma & Klass) from 4-6 p.m. every Friday for girls ages 8-16. Learn etiquette skills, music and dance, participate in community projects and enjoy field trips. Membership is $40 per month. E-mail fourecenter@yahoo.com or call 928-8001 for information.

Make A Difference: Become a volunteer at Magnolia Manor Nursing Center where there are several opportunities for you to make a difference in someone’s life. Contact Activity Director Sherry Beck, 924-9352, ext. 3079.

Plains
Lions Club: The Plains Lions Club meets at 7 p.m. on the second Monday of each month. Call President Doug McKinney  at 924-1433 or information.

Free Classes: GED prep classes are offered from 9:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. Mondays and Tuesdays at the Boys & Girls Club. Classes and books are free. Participants can study independently. Practice GED tests are given. Call 824-5388 or South Georgia Technical College Adult Literacy for more information.

Ellaville
AA Meetings: Alcoholics Anonymous meets at 6:30 p.m. Tuesdays at the John Gill House, 2237 S. Broad St. between Ameris Bank and Ellaville United Methodist Church. Call for 815-3001 for more information.

Montezuma
Al-Anon: The Macon County Al-Anon Family Group has changed its meeting time from Wednesday nights to 1:30 p.m. Sundays at St. Mary’s, 608 Rawls St. Parking is in front of the church.

Cordele
State Park Programs: Georgia Veterans State Park is gearing up for the upcoming school year. It offers excellent field trips that cover a wide range of classroom material. There are four miles of nature trails that can be explored and is an excellent teaching tool. This trail offer examples of invasive species to Georgia, natural habitats for wildlife and is great exercise. There are also tours of indoor museums and outdoor exhibits. The indoor museum features artifacts dating from the Civil War to the recent Gulf War. Outdoor exhibits include a B-29 Super Fortress, a Sherman tank, a Patton tank and a “Huey” helicopter. All nature trails and museum tours are guided by Amanda Norris, activities coordinator and the cost is $1 per student. There are picnic tables available for lunch. The park is open seven days a week and scheduling a tour would not be an issue for multiple class field trips. For more, call Amanda at Georgia Veterans State Park 229-276-2371.