Around the block

Professional club

The Young Professionals of Augusta will meet from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at The Partridge Inn, 2110 Walton Way.

Social time will start at 5:30 p.m. Leadership-development time will begin at 6:30 p.m.

The free meetings are open to professionals ages 21 to 40 who live, work or have an interest in the Augusta area.

Memberships cost $35.

For more information, visit www.ypaugusta.net.

Sierra session

The Sierra Club of Augusta will meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at the Unitarian Universalist Church of Augusta, 3501 Walton Way Extension.

The speaker, Jan Perry, the market manager for Augusta Locally Grown, will discuss how to participate in the group. The public is invited.

For more information, contact Judy Gordon at jgordon77@comcast.net

Writers to gather

The annual Winter Gathering of Writers will be at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22, at Augusta State University, 170 University Hall, 2500 Walton Way.

The event will feature readings by Leonard Todd and Angus Woodward. A book signing and reception will follow the readings.

The program is free and open to the public. For more information, call (706) 667-4437 or (706) 729-2417.

Training sessions

Rape Crisis and Sexual Assault Services will hold volunteer training Jan. 22-26 at University Hospital, 1350 Walton Way.

The first session will be from 5:30 to 9 p.m. Volunteers serve the agency in a number of ways including answering crisis calls, providing emergency room advocacy for victims of sexual assault and helping in the office.

For more information on volunteer training or services provided by the agency, call (706) 774-2740.

Benefit concert

Brian Lam, a season seven semifinalist on American Idol , will perform a benefit concert at 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 30, at Warren Baptist Church, 3203 Washington Road.

The concert will feature a number of pop and contemporary Christian selections. The concert will benefit the ALS Association, which supports those with Lou Gehrig's disease.

Tickets may be purchased for $10 at Family Christian Stores, 204 Robert C. Daniel Jr. Parkway, or at the door for $12.

For more information, contact Stephen Lam at LamALSconcert@yahoo.com.

Pre-K information

The local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency will have three information sessions for parents interested in learning more about Georgia's lottery-funded Pre-K program from 10 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 24, and 1 to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 7, at the Medical College of Georgia Child Care Resource and Referral Agency, 1054 Claussen Road, Suite 307.

At the meetings, parents will learn about the eligibility and registration requirements, Georgia Pre-K standards, Pre-K activities and how to choose the best location for their child.

Registration is required. For more information or to register, call (706) 729-2353 or (877) 228-3566.

Food donations

Golden Harvest Food Bank is seeking donations of canned meats and vegetables and other nonperishable food items. Take donations to 3310 Commerce Drive or 13 Enterprise Ave. in Aiken.

For more information, call (706) 736-1199 or (803) 648-0752.

Visitors needed

The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is looking for people to be volunteer visitors in nursing homes. To volunteer, call Angela Chavous at (706) 721-2327.