<b>The Blood Alliance has January blood drives   </b>

The Blood Alliance hosts blood drives in January. Government-issued photo I.D. is required to donate (driver’s license, passport, military I.D., etc) For more information or to make an appointment, please call 888-998-2243 or visit www.igiveblood.com. Here are the locations:

• Sunday, January 19: Sea Island Presbyterian Church, 81 Lady’s Island Drive, Lady’s Island, 8 a.m. to noon.

• Thursday, January 23: Join Rotary Drive, The Blood Alliance Donor Center, 1001 Boundary Street, Suite A, Beaufort, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Friday, January 24: Beaufort Academy, 240 Sams Point Road, Lady’s Island, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Monday, January 27: Anytime Fitness, Suite 250, 274 Robert Smalls Parkway, Beaufort, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

• Thursday, January 30: Whale Branch Early College High School, 69 Detour Road, Seabrook, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

<b>Apply, attend training as Hope Haven volunteer   </b>

Hope Haven of the Lowcountry, the Rape Crisis and Children’s Advocacy Center is accepting applications for volunteers and interns to attend the January/February 2014 Hope Haven volunteer training. Hope Haven volunteers serve as hospital advocates to child and adult survivors of sexual assault, and are also trained to answer crisis calls from the 24-hour hotline. Experts in law enforcement, counseling, and the medical field will present information regarding working with sexual assault victims. The 25-hour training also includes multi-media presentations, group discussions and role plays to equip volunteers with the skills necessary to help victims in crisis situations. Training will be held January 27, January 29, January 31, February 4, February 6, and February 8. The weekday sessions will be from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. and the Saturday session from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.  All six sessions must be attended for crisis intervention volunteers to be fully trained. Pre-registration is required. For more information and to register, please call Christine Smith at 843-524-2256.

<b>Returning Catholics Series offered at church </b>

Returning Catholics Series begins Saturday, Jan. 18 at St. Peter’s Catholic Church, 70 Lady’s Island Drive, Beaufort. The church is again offering a six week series for those considering a return to the Catholic Church or for those who have returned but are desiring to learn more about their faith. Presentations and discussions are planned to help Catholics who have been away for awhile to return home.  Meetings are held on the six consecutive Saturdays from Jan. 18 through Feb. 22 from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Adult Ed Room at St. Peter’s. The series is free. Contact Theresa Pulliam at 524-2604, pulliamins@hargray.com or Deborah Richard 575-3742, deborahm@catholic.org.

<b>Professor to speak to county historical society </b>

The Beaufort County Historical Society, established in 1939, is entering its Diamond Anniversary. For 75 years, the all volunteer society has been dedicated to the study and preservation of Beaufort County history. On Thursday, Jan. 16 at the Beaufort Yacht and Sailing Club on Lady’s Island, USCB Professor Dr. Brent Morris will present information on William H. Brisbane, a Beaufort County plantation owner, an abolitionist, a man both revered and hated in during the 1800s in the Lowcountry. On Jan. 1, 1863, Brisbane was given the assignment of publicly reading the Emancipation Proclamation to an audience that included some men and women who had once been his slaves. Dr. Morris’ talk will begin at noon and is free and open to the public. There is an optional light lunch catered by Debbi Covington at 11:30 a.m. for $10. For more information, contact President Mary Lou Brewton at maryloubrew@aol.com or 912-604-3634 or at www.beaufortcountyhistoricalsociety.org.

<b>Building company has real estate open house </b>

Live Oak Builders is holding an open house for Beaufort real estate agents on Thursday, January 30, 2014, at Live Oak Builders’ design and remodeling center, 1402 Boundary Street, Beaufort, from 4 to 7 p.m. The Realtors can meet the builder, Todd Bradley, and his staff. They can answer questions about building or remodeling in Beaufort and the Sea Islands. The purpose of the event is to encourage partnerships between Live Oak Builders and Beaufort real estate agents. Light refreshments and cocktails will be served.

<b>New AARP Safe Driver Class will be held  </b>

The new 2014 AARP Safe Driver Class will be held on Friday, January 24, 2014  at Summit Place of Beaufort, 1119 Pickpocket Plantation Dr., Beaufort, SC, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost is $15 for AARP members and $20 for non-members. This course is open to all drivers age 26 and older. A certificate for a  discount on your auto insurance is issued upon completion. Class size is limited, register now. Call Instructor Harry Ammon at 843-521-1941.

<b>Free presentation helps people get organized </b>

The National Association of Professional Organizers (NAPO) is a group of approximately 4,000 professional organizers dedicated to helping individuals and businesses bring order and efficiency to their lives. Each year in January NAPO members reach out to help our communities Get Organized (GO). On Friday, Jan. 24, professional organizers Crystal Eakle and Roxanne Cheney will present a free community education/service class called “The Organized Home: Two professional organizers talk about what it takes” at the Beaufort County library, 311 Scott Street, Beaufort. The goal will be to help attendees bring time management, organization, storage solutions and productivity into their lives. The two organizers will “show and tell” participants how to organize their homes and offices. Learn how to create an organized foundation that will help you and your family be more productive and joyful. For more information, call 843-252-1118, email Roxanne@RoxanneOrganizes.com or visit www.napocharleston.org.

<b>Bartender fundraiser to support Healing Heroes   </b>

A Celebrity Bartender fundraiser will be held on Sunday, January 26, 2014, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Sweetgrass Restaurant on Dataw Island, 100 Marina Drive, St. Helena Island, SC, 29920. Refreshments will be served by celebrity bartenders Kevin Holmes and Larry Spruill, on-air personalities from WJCL and Fox 28 in Savannah, and Les Vann, president and general manager of both TV stations. Join mixologists Les, Kevin and Larry as they make to order your favorite liquid refreshment. Proceeds to benefit the Beaufort based Healing Heroes of the Lowcountry Fund.

<b>Band ‘The Remnants’ to perform at oyster roast   </b>

On Friday, January 24,  an oyster roast will be held at Traditions restaurant on Parris Island. The local band “The Remnants” will be performing at the event from 5 to 9 p.m. The oyster roast is open to the public and it’s $15 per person for all you can devour. There will also be wings, burgers, quesadillas and chicken fingers served. To RSVP, call 843-228-1566.

<b>Local church holding men’s wildlife supper   </b>

Community Bible Church to hold a Men’s Wildlife Supper on Friday, January 24 at 6:30 p.m. Venison, wild boar, shrimp, alligator, turkey side dishes and dessert will be served at this free event. Speaker will be Dr. Bob Reccord and a surprise guest. The church is located at 638 Parris Island Gateway, Beaufort. Call 843-525-0089  for questions or to register.

<b>Challenge helps those looking to lose weight   </b>

The new year has just begun and many have made the resolution to lose weight. A solution to help you reach your goals: Join the 12-week Challenge. In this challenge, you will receive free wellness evaluation, free meal plan, your own personal coach, 12 weeks of helpful tips and information on good nutrition  and long-term health, and group support. The Challenge is beginning now and meetings are held every Tuesday evening at 6:30 p.m. and last about 30-45 minutes. The cost is $35 and the money goes towards building the winners pot at the end. What do you have to lose, but the pounds? For more information and location, call Margie at 843-592-5109.

<b>Guest speaker to discuss</b><b> communication skills </b>

Start out the New Year with improved communication skills by attending “The Foundation for Healthy Relationships: Marriage, Dating and Care Giving” on Friday, Feb. 7, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. at Helena House Assisted Living in Port Royal. Alan Poe, who has more than 35 years of experience as a relationship coach and eight years of experience as a hospice chaplain, will lead the interactive group session for those wanting to improve their communication skills and their marital, dating and caregiving relationships. Mr. Poe has a master’s degree in counseling and a bachelor’s degree in divinity. He has used his counseling experience to provide insight and resolution in areas such as relationship health, grief recovery and support groups, depression and anxiety. The session is free and open to the public. For more information, call Alan Poe at 843-323-9128 or by e-mail at alankpoe@gmail.com.

<b>CODA holds sessions for training volunteers </b>

CODA (Citizens Opposed to Domestic Abuse) will be holding a volunteer training in February. The training is comprised of four sessions which will be held February 8 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and February 11, 12, and 13 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Attendance at all four sessions is mandatory. CODA volunteers will be trained in working with victims of domestic violence, answering the 24-hour crisis line and a variety of activities working either on site in CODA’s shelter or at various community events as representatives of CODA. Interested individuals can download the application by visiting CODA’s website at www.codalowcountry.org and clicking the “volunteer” tab.  Pre-registration is required. For more information, contact Theresa Lacey at 843-770-1074, ext. 225.

<b>Black Chamber of Commerce will meet  </b>

The Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce will have its annual meeting on Saturday, January 25, 2014 at the Holiday Inn &amp; Suites located at 2225 Boundary Street in Beaufort at 9 a.m. All members are asked to be present to hear about the year in review and the goals for the new year. Membership input is valuable to us, so plan to come and share your ideas. For more information, contact Wilma Holman, Office Manager, Beaufort County Black Chamber of Commerce at 843-986-1102.
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