Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Local notes
BLOOD CENTER SEEKS DONORS
Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, the sole supplier of blood and plasma to patients at more than 40 area hospitals, has issued a critical appeal for all blood types. Reserves for all blood types are at less than normal levels, with many types at a less than one-day reserve level. After losing more than 3,000 donations in April, most mobile blood drives in May have been canceled or postponed.
The continuing cancellations mean that mobile blood drives that can proceed become very important to local blood reserves. Donors in Pea Ridge have one of those opportunities coming soon. Area residents will have the opportunity to donate at First Baptist Church, Family Life Center, 1650 Slack St., 9 a.m.-3 p.m. May 27.
Information: cbco.org.
DONATIONS RECEIVED
Gates Corporation of Siloam Springs, a global provider of application-specific fluid power and power transmission solutions, has announced charitable donations totaling $15,500 to local nonprofits including The Manna Center, Genesis House and the Community Clinic.
The donations are part of a global charitable initiative through which the Gates Industrial Corporation Foundation is working with approximately 100 Gates facilities around the world to identify and help fund local nonprofits responding to the pandemic, with charitable giving totaling more than $535,000. The Foundation is also offering double matching for U.S. employee donations to covid-19-related organizations in this time of greatest need.
Information: (303) 7444821.
HOPE CANCER OFFERS SUPPORT
• Free Tobacco Cessation Program: Hope Cancer Resources’ certified health education specialist is available to support members of the community who are looking to quit smoking with nicotine replacement therapy and counseling.
• Emotional Support Through Cancer Battle: Faced with increased fears amid covid-19, cancer patients are not alone. Hope Cancer Resources’ team of counselors and social workers are supporting cancer patients and their families every day with a focus on emotional health, no matter the circumstance.
• Virtual Wellness Classes For Cancer Patients and Caregivers: The Wellness Center for Hope at Hope Cancer Resources has created a yoga and fitness class schedule via Zoom.
Information: (479) 3615847.
FOUNDATIONS GIVE TO WELCOMEHEALTH
WelcomeHealth has recently received $60,700 from various foundations that believe in helping during the coronavirus pandemic. Donors includ: CDBG, $17,200; Direct Relief, $15,000; The Bradberry Family Foundation, $10,000; Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation, $10,000; Harvard Pilgrim Health Care, $5,000; United Way of Northwest Arkansas, $2,500; and Arkansas Community Foundation, $1,000.
Brittney Gulley, director of development, said this about the recent support WelcomeHealth received: “It is amazing to see the community come together during uncertain times to support worthy nonprofits. We are blessed to be one of the many organizations that have received support from numerous foundations! It’s nice to know that the work we do for our low-income families is not going unnoticed.”
Information: (479) 4446033, welcomehealthnwa.org or email bgulley@welcomehealthnwa.org.
OLLI SETS NEW CLASSES
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Arkansas has announce the following classes for the upcoming week:
• May 26: “The Human Rights Approach to Global Population Change,” members, $25, nonmembers, $40; “Improving Memory: Tricks & Tips,” members, $39, nonmembers: $54
• May 27: “Elder Law & Planning For The Future,” free
• May 29: “Brunch with Barry,” members, $30, nonmembers, $45
• June 1: “Memoir, Not Just Your Story” (offered via email instruction), members, $25, nonmembers, $40
These classes are being offered via an online format.
Information: (479) 5754545 or olli.uark.edu.
APPLICANTS SOUGHT
The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow is offering a fellowship to help a writer of children’s, up to young adult, literature. A twoweek, all expenses paid residency will allow the recipient to focus entirely on their work. Candidates should be working on a picture book or chapter book that provides inspiration and hope for those struggling with the hardships and challenges that life often metes out.
The issue the work addresses may include (but is not limited to): discrimination based on race, religion, class, gender, or sexual orientation; bullying, cyberbullying, fairness, human rights; homelessness, poverty, immigration; social responsibility, getting along, fairness; divorce, blended families; fear or anxiety due to attacks on schools, gun violence, war, abuse, unsafe living conditions, covid-19; or environment, such as nature, recycling, climate-related disasters.
Each writer-in-residence has a private suite with writing space, private bath, and wireless internet. We provide uninterrupted writing time, a dinner prepared five nights a week served in our community dining room, the camaraderie of other professional writers when you want it, and a kitchen stocked with the basics for breakfast and lunch.
Fellowship applications must be accompanied by a writing sample, and a non-refundable $35 application fee. Deadline is midnight July 6. The winner will be announced no later than July 31. The residency must be completed by Dec. 31, 2021. WCDH is open year-round. Complete the application at writerscolony. org/fellowships.
The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow would like to thank Board President Peggy Kjelgaard for generously funding this fellowship.
Information: writers colony.org.
Send news about local events, charity fundraisers and family or class reunions to ourtown@ nwadg.com. Deadline is 4 p.m. Tuesday for Sunday publication. Please include a phone number or email address for publication.