Red Cross says donation shortfall may impact blood supply
The American Red Cross has seen a shortfall of about 25,000 blood donations in the first two months of the summer, which makes it hard to keep hospital shelves stocked with lifesaving blood products. By making an appointment to give blood or platelets in August, donors can keep the national blood supply from falling to shortage levels.
Right now, the Red Cross especially needs type O negative, type O positive, type B negative and type A negative blood donors, as well as platelet donors. For those who don’t know their blood type, making a donation is an easy way to find out this important personal health information. The Red Cross will notify new donors of their blood type soon after they give.
There are eight blood drives scheduled in Richland County from now until the end of the month, including drives at the Richland Mall Wednesday and Friday and again on Aug. 23 and Aug. 30.
Schedule an appointment to give by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).
All who come to give throughout the month of August will get a $10 e-gift card to a movie merchant of their choice. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Movie.
Portion of Vennum Avenue closed
Vennum Avenue from Ohio Street to Albert Avenue in Mansfield is closed for water main repairs. It’s expected to reopen by Friday. Traffic is advised to plan an alternate route to avoid possible delays.
Book signing at Oak Hill Cottage
The Richland County Historical Society welcomes author Christopher Kuntz for a presentation and book signing at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 16, at Oak Hill Cottage, 346 Oak Hill Place, Mansfield.
Kuntz is the author of the book “Scott Brown: Cartoonist” about his grandfather and acclaimed national cartoonist who lived in Mansfield.
Garden Club to celebrate its 95th anniversary
Mansfield Garden Club will celebrate its 95th anniversary at 4 p.m. Friday at the Carriage House at the Kingwood Center Gardens. The Mansfield Garden Club is the oldest garden club in Mansfield and one of the oldest in the state.
The group accomplished a lot over the years including landscaping the grounds around the newly built Mansfield General Hospital. They also created the Mansfield Park Association.
The current group maintains the flower garden surrounding the downtown gazebo and decorates a tree in the gazebo and a room in the Kingwood Center mansion at Christmas. They recently had an aluminum sculpture erected in the garden by the Carriage House at Kingwood to honor the many hours of volunteerism by the garden clubs.
Upcoming meetings:
● Shelby City Council Finance & Personnel Committee, 2:30 p.m., Thursday, conference room, 5 Water St., Shelby
● Shelby City Council Utilities & Streets Committee, 3:30 p.m., Thursday, conference room, 5 Water St., Shelby