Kiwanis Club hosts Stuff-A-Truck event

MIDDLETOWN — The Kiwanis Club of Middletown. On July 11, we hosted a Stuff a Truck event July 11, in coordination with Jeff Myjak, founder of Cans 4 a Cause, to raise money for the Kiwanis Program, Warm the Children.

“This event was so highly successful that we are in week two of separating and counting so all that bottles/cans collected can go to the redemption center,” said club president Kathy McPherson. “We not only filled the truck, but filled a dump truck, three pickup trucks, and the trunks of all the volunteers, collecting an estimated 70,000 cans and bottles.

Red Cross needs local volunteers

FARMINGTON — Experts say we are in for a busy hurricane season this summer and the American Red Cross needs volunteers.

“The coronavirus pandemic will make it challenging to deploy trained disaster volunteers from other parts of the country should an emergency occur. In light of this, the Red Cross is asking you to be ready to help your community,” said Mario Bruno, CEO, American Red Cross in Connecticut and Rhode Island. “Train now to be a Red Cross volunteer and answer the call to help if the need arises here in our region.”

Shelter held: Because of COVID-19, the Red Cross is placing those needing a safe place to stay in emergency hotel lodging when possible.

If hotel stays aren’t possible, then the Red Cross will open traditional shelters. To help keep people safe, we have put in place additional precautions and developed special training.

Volunteers are needed to help staff shelter reception, registration, feeding, dormitory, information collection and other vital tasks to help those we serve. We have both associate and supervisory level opportunities available.

Health services support: RNs, LPNs, LVNs, APRNs, NPs, EMTs, paramedic, MD/DO or PAs with an active, current and unencumbered license are also needed in shelters to help assess people’s health.

Daily observation and health screening for COVID-19-like illness among shelter residents may also be required. RNs supervise all clinical tasks.

Roles are also available for Certified Nursing Assistants, Certified Home Health Aides, student nurses and medical students. We need volunteers who can provide care as delegated by a licensed nurse in shelters. This could include assisting with activities of daily living, personal assistance services, providing health education and helping to replace medications, durable medical equipment or consumable medical supplies.

If you are interested in helping, should a disaster occur, go to redcross.org/volunteertoday or contact Sarah Scheel: sarah.scheel@redcross.org, 860426-5795. Be sure to review the CDC guidance for people who are at higher risk for severe illness, consult your health care provider and follow local guidance.

Warning: Don’t plant strange seeds

HARTFORD — The Connecticut Department of Agriculture and The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station have been notified that several Connecticut residents have received unsolicited packages containing seeds that appear to have originated from China, according to a statement.

The types of seeds in the packages are unknown and may be invasive plant species. The packages were sent by mail and may have Chinese writing on them. Unsolicited packages of seeds have been received by people in several other states across the United States over the last several days, according to the statement.

Do not plant these seeds, the departments said.

CT DoAg and CAES encourage anyone who receives an unsolicited package of seeds from China to immediately contact their state plant regulatory officials, Dr. Kirby Stafford at 203-974-8485 (Kirby.Stafford@ct.gov) or Dr. Victoria Smith at 203-974-8474 (Victoria.Smith@ct.gov ). Hold on to the seeds and packaging, including the mailing label, until contacted with instructions.

“Invasive species wreak havoc on the environment, displace or destroy native plants and insects and severely damage crops. Taking steps to prevent their introduction is the most effective method of reducing both the risk of invasive species infestations and the cost to control and mitigate those infestations,” the department said in a statement.

Epilepsy Foundation holding ‘no mud’ volleyball challenge

MIDDLETOWN — The Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut has canceled its traditional Mud Volleyball Tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic and state regulations surrounding large gatherings. Instead, in partnership with 102.9 The Whale —- The "No Mud" Mud Volleyball Challenge is being held, according to a statement.

“Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, seizures haven’t stopped and neither have we. The demand for epilepsy support and services continues. While we are disappointed that we cannot hold our 34th Annual Mud Volleyball Tournament, we are excited to launch our new virtual “No Mud” Mud Volleyball fundraiser challenge with 102.9 the Whale,” said Linda Wallace, Executive Director of the Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut.

Participants will select their favorite 102.9 the Whale host and join their respective team- Picozzi’s "Pandemic Pounders" or Sab’s "COVID Crushers". Once participants join a team, they will be able to buy a T-shirt in support of their selected team and host. After joining a team and buying a Tshirt, they will receive a fundraising link which we encourage them to share with their friends and family, and start collecting donations.

The top eight individual fundraisers on each team will get to play in a special one-time exhibition match at the 2021 event. This match would be separate from your regular team games. Prizes will be awarded. The “No Mud” Mud Volleyball Challenge ends on Aug. 31. All T-shirt sales and donations go to support people with epilepsy in Connecticut.

For information and to register, go to .epilepsyct.com/ mud-volleyball.php