As a result of the snowy weather, Western Washington’s blood supply has lost 20 percent of its inventory, or 1,000 units of blood, according to a press release by the Puget Sound Blood Center (PSBC).
Weather has cancelled over 27 blood drives and the Center estimates a loss of 1,700 blood donations.
Blood types O- and O+ are at a critical two day supply level and type B- is at an emergency one day supply level, according to the release.
People are encouraged to donate blood whenever they can safely get to a center or blood drive to ensure an adequate supply of blood for area hospitals.
It takes over 900 donor registrations every day to maintain an operational blood supply in Western Washington, according to the PSBC.
Schedule an appointment with PSBC by calling 1-800-398-7888. Walk-ins are also welcome.
Visit www.psbc.org for donation center hours of operation and driving directions, as well as mobile drive locations.
Ceremony to mark church centennial
In 2009, Ronald United Methodist Church will celebrate its centennial year.
In celebration of the anniversary, a bell ringing ceremony will occur at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Jan. 3, in the Ronald United Methodist Church Sanctuary, 17839 Aurora Ave. N in Shoreline.
The Joyful Noise Bell Choir from the University Temple United Methodist Church will perform at the centennial celebration. For the centennial celebrations, members of the audience may have the opportunity to ring and sing along with the choir.
Education forum set for Jan. 6
State Rep. Ruth Kagi, D-Lake Forest Park, hopes a major community education forum Tuesday evening, Jan. 6, will give local residents a head start in understanding and weighing -in on key education-funding issues lawmakers will face in 2009.
The forum is scheduled for 7 p.m. in the Community Meeting Room of the Northshore Public Utility District facility, 6830 NE 185th St., Kenmore.
Kagi is co-sponsoring the forum with the Washington State PTA and League of Education Voters to give parents, teachers and others an inside view of the findings and recommendations of the Washington State Basic Education Funding Task Force.
“We need our local communities to have a strong voice in decisions that will shape the future of education here and throughout Washington, and this forum will help,” Kagi said.
State Rep. Ross Hunter, D-Medina, will be at the forum to provide an inside look at the work and recommendations of the Basic Education Funding Task Force. Hunter is a key member of the Task Force and chairs the House Finance Committee in the Legislature.
Citizens attending the forum will also hear the perspectives and ask questions of Scott Allen, the Vice President of the Washington State PTA, and George Scarola, the Legislative Policy Director for the League of Education Voters.
Goodwill’s job training begins
Shoreline Goodwill’s Job Training and Education Center, located at 14500 15th Ave. NE in Shoreline, is enrolling people in free classes for the upcoming session, which begins on Jan. 5. Courses teach those with significant barriers to employment valuable skills to find and keep jobs.
The Retail and Customer Service Training Program is a three month program that includes four weeks of on-the-job training. Participants will learn how to use computers in a retail environment, maintain the appearance of a store and merchandise products. They will also learn “soft skills” needed to get and keep a job, such as communicating well and working with a team. The course meets Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
For enrollment information call 206-631-8458.
Recycle your Christmas tree
King County encourages residents to take advantage of the many options for recycling Christmas trees, instead of throwing the tree in the garbage.
The King County Solid Waste Division recommends these Christmas tree recycling options:
•Curbside pickup: Residents who have curbside yard waste collection service can place their tree at the curb with their regular yard waste. Restrictions vary.
•Private companies: Many private yard waste facilities in King County collect Christmas trees for recycling – at rates much cheaper than disposal. Visit King County’s “What Do I Do With…?” Web site at http://your.kingcounty.gov/solidwaste/wdidw/index.asp. Type in “Christmas tree” in the search box and click the “Search” button for a list of private companies that accept Christmas trees.
•Fundraising events: Many community groups sponsor Christmas tree-cycling fundraising events.
Volunteer at Hopelink
Hopelink’s Adult Education and other programs are constantly looking for volunteers to give hope to people in need in Shoreline. Hopelink’s Shoreline center at 15809 Westminster Way N currently needs volunteers to:
•Help adults learn basic reading, writing or math skills or earn a General Education Development (GED) diploma;
•Drive to deliver food to home-bound clients;
•Sort gifts, stock gifts and help as “personal shoppers” for clients in the Shoreline Hopelink’s gift room during the holidays when they come to select gifts for their children or grandchildren (days and hours vary).
Training for all volunteer positions is provided. Volunteers must be comfortable communicating in English.
For more information about volunteering, please call 206-440-7300.
State council sponsors contest
Washington high school students with a disability have the opportunity to showcase their creativity and win a $250 Visa Gift Card in the “SILC Logo Contest.”
The Washington State Independent Living Council (SILC) is sponsoring the contest in recognition of National Disability Employment Awareness Month, which was in October.
Youth 13-20 years old who have a disability and attend high school or are home schooled in our state are eligible to enter. Logo design submissions will be accepted until 5 p.m. on Jan. 16, 2009. The winning design will become the new logo for the Washington State Independent Living Council and featured on all official announcements and letterhead.
Entries can be sent to SILC c/o Barbara Hathaway, Executive Assistant, P.O. Box 45353, Olympia, WA 98504-5343 or e-mailed to hathab@dshs.wa.gov. PDF is the preferred format for electronic entries.
The Independent Living Council advocates for independent living services and issues that impact people who have a disability. Every state is required to have an independent living council as part of the 1986 amendments to the Federal Rehabilitation Act.
Located in the Department of Social and Health Services’ Division of Vocational Rehabilitation offices in Lacey, the council monitors, reviews, and evaluates the state Plan for Independent Living and works closely with the Centers for Independent Living and other partners.
Members of the Independent Living Council will judge entries.
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