HOW TO HELP
Here are ways you can help during the coronavirus pandemic:
The Community Blood Center and Dayton Red Cross are looking for peo- ple who have fully recovered from the coronavirus to donate plasma, along with taking blood donations from other eligible people. Donors must meet certain qualifi- cations. For information about donating or to set up an appointment with the Community Blood Center go to givingblood.org or all 937- 461-3450. For the Red Cross visit redcrossblood.org.
St. Vincent de Paul is in need of twin sheets, bath towels and washcloths. They can be donated to St. Vincent at 120 W. Apple St. Or you can purchase through Ama- zon and ship items to 120 W. Apple St., Dayton, Ohio 45402. The donation center is open 24 hours every day. St. Vincent is also in need of monetary donations. Dona- tions can be made online through St. Vincent’s website, stvincentdayton.org. Donations can also be mailed to St. Vincent Administration at the Apple Street address. If you wish to volunteer with St. Vincent, they ask that all volunteers be healthy and not members of a higher-risk group for coronavi- rus. To volunteer, call 937- 222-5555, ext. 103.
Catholic Social Services of the Miami Valley hosts food pantries and runs several other assistance programs throughout the area. For financial aid and dona- tions, contact Mike Lehner at 937-223-7217 ext. 1142 or email lehnerm@ccsmv.org or visit cssmv.org. For volunteer opportunities con- tact Mike Hoendorf at 937223-7217 ext. 1141 or email hoendorfm@cssmv.org. All volunteers must be between 18-50 years old and free of all symptoms.
Project READ is looking for volunteer tutors for the Raise a Reader and Tutors Like Me initiatives along with the Youth Learning Services and Adult Learning Services programs. For more information on tutoring, email projectread@sinclair.edu. Project READ is also accepting book donations. There are currently 12 bins but the program is looking for businesses to help expand donation bin locations. For large donations call the helpline at 937-461-7323. Monetary donations can be given at project-read.org or on Facebook at ProjectReadDayton.
YWCA Dayton has an urgent need for hygiene products such as body wash, lotion, shampoo and conditioner. A full list of needs can be found at ywcadayton.org. Other needed items include masks, small craft kits, diapers, baby wipes, baby formula, underwear and disinfectant products. YWCA is asking that donations be made through Amazon Wish List.
Victory Project is putting together care packages of canned goods, bread, hygiene items, cleaning supplies and gift cards. Visit victoryproject.org/help-out/ to see what supplies are needed. Items can be dropped off at 409 Troy Street, Dayton, on Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 12 p.m. and 6 p.m. or delivered through Amazon.
Dayton Mall is running a food and essential item donation drive. Residents can drop off non-perishable food and other essentials in designated bins to the right of Designer Shoe Warehouse on the Ohio 725 side of the mall. The drive will run from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday until further notice.