Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Local notes
PROJECT LIFESAVER
The Alzheimer’s Foundation of America has awarded grant funding to the Washington County Sheriff’s Office to expand its Project Lifesaver program, which provides safety technology to Washington County families caring for a loved one prone to wandering due to a dementiarelated illness.
Wandering is a common and potentially dangerous behavior among individuals with a dementia-related illness. Someone with a dementia-related illness who wanders can quickly become disoriented, unable to return to safety or not know how, or who, to call for help.
The Washington County Sheriff’s Office’s Project Lifesaver program, in partnership with Project Lifesaver International, allows caregivers to voluntarily register their loved one with dementia to wear a small wrist or ankle transmitter that emits an individualized radio frequency signal. When the transmitter is activated, the frequency allows a trained response team to locate the person and help return them home safely. The technology helps reduce search and rescue times from hours or days down to a matter of minutes. There is no charge for families to enroll in the program.
The $6,000 grant will enable the Washington County Sheriff’s Office to purchase additional equipment, including transmitters, that will allow them to serve additional families. Funding will also support a community outreach program to raise awareness about the service.
Information: (518) 7462475, (866) 232-8484 or alzfdn.org.
BEER & HYMNS
Beer & Hymns, the only sing-along event raising funds for area nonprofits, announced a record-breaking $53,708 in annual donations to area nonprofits in 2022, according to Ken Weatherford, executive director of Beer & Hymns.
February’s theme is love songs. Selections include songs about first love, lasting love and even heartbreak and healing. Events benefiting Essentials Outreach are planned for: • Feb. 19: Bike Rack Brewing
Co., 8th Street Market, Bentonville, 5 to 7 p.m.
• Feb. 26: Tontitown Winery, Tontitown, 5 to 7 p.m.
Information: kindcreativeco.com or beerandhymns.com.
OLLI
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Arkansas has announced the following classes: • sessions Feb. 20 on to March Monday 15 & (8 Wednesday): Bridge. Play of Intermediate the Hand. Class play. Rolling lecture Hills and actual Baptist
Church, members, 10 $50 a.m. nonmembers. to noon, $35 • Feb. 20 to March 23 (4
sessions on Monday): Introduction to African American Art — Journey through African American history using art as your guide.
OLLI office, 5 to 6 p.m. $19
members, $34 nonmembers.
• Feb. 21 & March 7: Birding Nature Walk. Learn the basics of birding in this two part bird ID course. OLLI Shiloh office, 10 a.m. to noon, $35 members, $50 nonmembers. • Feb. 21, 28: From Selfies
to Sunsets. Make those cell phone photos into good quality photos. OLLI Office, 1 to 3 p.m. $29 members,
$44 nonmembers. • Feb. 21: Appetizers, Small
Plates For One, Two or a Few. Cook together via Zoom. 5 to 7 p.m. $25 members, $40 nonmembers. • Feb. 22: 3 Steps to Sort
Your Photos — Join author and organizer Jamie Novak to learn her three steps to organize your photos. Zoom, 3 to 5 p.m. $25 members, $40 nonmembers. • Feb. 24: The Crown Jewels
of Queen Elizabeth II. This photo lecture will showcase the extraordinary jewels of Queen Elizabeth. Drake Field, 10 a.m. to noon. $25 members, $40 nonmembers.
Information: (479) 575
4545 or olli.uark.edu.
EVENING IN PARIS
The Fort Smith Regional
Art Museum will hold a 75th Anniversary Celebration Gala “Evening in Paris” from 6 to 11 p.m. April 29.
The event will include French cuisine, champagne and libations, a silent auction of 6×6 paintings in homage to Parisian artists by local artists, a live auction, including a trip to Paris for two, can-can dancers provided by Western Arkansas Ballet, “A Look Back: 75 Years” on the big screen, an Eiffel Tower Diamond Studs Draw and finally, dancing to the music of the Larry B Soul Experience band.
Information: fsram.org/ gala2023.
WELCOMEHEALTH
WelcomeHealth was awarded an additional $30,000 from the Delta Dental of Arkansas Foundation. These grant funds will help improve oral health literacy of low-income patients by providing oral health education in the dental clinic and in the medical clinic. By improving patients’ oral health literacy, they will be better stewards of their own health.
Information: welcomehealthnwa.org.
RED CROSS
One in seven patients entering a hospital will need a blood transfusion. At the same time, only about 3% of Americans give blood. The
American Red Cross needs
more people to make and keep appointments to give blood in February.
Upcoming blood donation opportunities include:
• Bella Vista: 9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Feb. 23, Highland Christian Church, 1500 Forest Hills Blvd. • Bentonville: 1-5 p.m. Feb.
24, The Neighborhood Church, 2702 S.W. I St. • Rogers: 12:30-5:30 p.m.
Feb. 20, First Baptist Church
Rogers, 3364 W. Pleasant Grove Road
• Eureka Springs: 12:30-5:30 p.m. Feb. 24, Eureka Springs Community Center, 44 Kingshighway • Fayetteville: 12:30-5:30
p.m. Feb. 21, Central United Methodist Church/Central Activities Center, 6 W. Dickson St.; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Feb. 28, University of Arkansas, 435 N. Garland Ave., University of Arkansas Student Union-Ballroom • Springdale: 10 a.m.-2 p.m.
Feb. 23, Holiday Inn & Convention Center Northwest Arkansas, 1500 S. 48th St.
Donors of all blood types, particularly type O blood donors, the most needed blood group by hospitals, are needed daily to meet demand. Protect the blood supply from dropping. Book a time to give blood or platelets
Information: redcrossblood.org, or (800) 733-2767.
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.