Montgomery

MONTGOMERY COUNTY Maker Kits available

Washington-Centerville Public Library has added several new Maker Kits to its extremely popular collection. A Maker Kit is a loanable kit that encourages patrons to create and learn. The Library currently offers 33 various themed kits for adults, and nine kits for children. The newest kits to join the collection are:

■ Evo Robot: Teach yourself to code with five skills from beginner to master.

■ Keyboard: Learn to play beautiful melodies on this full-sized, portable keyboard.

■ Video Blogging: Elevate your videos with this webcam and microphone set. This kit is perfect for making beginning YouTube videos.

Maker-Kits can be placed on hold and picked-up at both the Centerville Library, located at 111 W. Spring Valley Pk., and the Woodbourne Library, located at 6060 Far Hills Ave.

For further questions or to view a complete list of Maker Kits, visit wclibrary.info/education/#makerkits, or call the Centerville Library at 937-433-8091 or Woodbourne Library at 937-435-3700. STAFF REPORT

MONTGOMERY COUNTY Blood drive

Set a goal to help save lives in 2020 at the “New Year’s Resolution Blood Drive” today, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the downtown Dayton CBC Donor Center, 349 South Main St. Make an appointment online at www.DonorTime. com.

The “New Year’s Resolution Blood Drive” is an opportunity to donate for the first time or take the challenge of donating at least one more time than you have in the past. Honored guest and blood donor Dayton Mayor Nan Whaley will kick off the blood drive with a welcome to donors at 10 a.m.

Everyone who registers to donate will receive a free Cinemark movie ticket and the CBC Blood Donor Winter Scarf. Meijer is supporting the blood drive with special breakfast and lunch refreshments.

CBC has an immediate need for blood donors to maintain the blood supply during the challenging holiday week and the start of the New Year. CBC is also emphasizing its strategic goals in 2020:

CBC must increase blood donations in 2020 in order to provide blood to more hospitals outside their traditional 15-county service area. CBC is expanding hospital partnerships in order to remain viable in the blood industry and to continue serving the Miami Valley region.

Downtown Dayton businesses and organizations responded to the Memorial Day tornado outbreak and Oregon District shootings by reaching out to CBC and volunteering to sponsor Dayton Strong blood drives.

In 2020, CBC seeks to employ the spirit and strength of the Dayton Strong movement to inspire more blood donors and engage more blood drive sponsors in the downtown Dayton community.

January 2020 marks the first anniversary of “Blood Donor Awareness Month” in Ohio. Community Blood Center will celebrate with the “Ohio Blood Donor Month Kickoff Blood Drive” on Friday, Jan. 3, from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m., at the Dayton CBC Donor Center, 349 South Main St.

Everyone who registers to donate can choose a free $10 gift card for Kroger, Target, or Amazon. They will also receive the “Donor Strong” long-sleeve T-shirt celebrating January Blood Donor Awareness Month or can choose the CBC Blood Donor Winter Scarf.

State Sen. Stephen Huffman from Tipp City is an emergency room physician and a life-long blood donor. While serving as a state representative he introduced House Bill 252 in 2017 and guided it through unanimous approval in both the House and Senate. Gov. John Kasich signed it into law on Feb. 8, 2018 and the inaugural Ohio Blood Donor Awareness was celebrated in January 2019.

Blood donation requirements: Donors are required to provide a photo ID that includes their full name. Past CBC donors are also asked to bring their CBC donor ID card. Donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 years old with parental consent: form available at www.givingblood.org or at CBC branch & blood drive locations), weigh a minimum of 110 pounds (you may have to weigh more, depending on your height), and be in good physical health. Individuals with eligibility questions are invited to email canidonate@ cbccts.org or call 800-388-GIVE. Make an appointment at www. DonorTime.com.

CONTRIBUTED

DAYTON Animal adoptions

Help homeless animals ring in 2020 the right way. Now through Dec. 31, the Humane Society of Greater Dayton is offering adoptions of all of its animals for just $20 each. This includes adoptions at the main shelter at 1661 Nicholas Road, the MeowZa Cat Boutique inside the Dayton Mall, and all of their offsite adoption locations throughout the Miami Valley.

Lines may be long to adopt so, to make the process as easy as possible, the Humane Society of Greater Dayton recommends anyone interested in adopting bring with them:

■ Your most up-to-date veterinarian records for all pets in your home

■ If you rent, a copy of your lease showing that you are permitted to have pets in your home

■ A filled out adoption application (optional), which can be found online at www.hsdayton. org/adopt.

Standard adoption procedures still apply and your application must be approved before you can adopt an animal from the Humane Society of Greater Dayton.

For more information about the Humane Society of Greater Dayton, call 937-268-PETS (7387) or visit www.hsdayton.org. STAFF REPORT