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BLHS Student Council plans blood drive for March 27
CONNORVILLE -- The Buckeye Local High School Student Council is seeking donors to step up and give during its upcoming blood drive this month.
The student organization is joining forces with Vitalant, formerly the Central Blood Bank of Pittsburgh, for the lifesaving campaign on March 27. Donors can take part from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the junior high gym, and community walk-ins are permitted but appointments are recommended. Medical personnel will oversee the collection while student council members will assist with registration and other stations.
"There are 74 members total and about 20 will help with this event," said organizer Charles Sempkowski, who is a student council co-adviser along with Michael DiCenzo and Myste Carter. "The volunteers will assist with getting students to the gym for their appointments, escorting people to a seat after they've donated and getting them snacks and drinks while they recover."
He said the goal is to gather 25 units of blood. Potential donors must be at least 16 years old, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health. In addition to saving lives, the blood drive has supported the student council by providing scholarships to graduating seniors. Sempkowski is looking for a good turnout at the event.
"I hope we can get members of the community to come out and help support the cause," he said.
The student council has organized the blood drive for more than a decade, except one year because of COVID. Blood collected at the event has been provided to local hospitals, including Weirton, Wheeling, Pittsburgh and Barnesville to support cancer and surgical patients, the elderly, accident victims and people with blood-borne issues, among others.
To make an appointment, go online to https://donateblood.centralbloodbank.org and choose "Donor Login" if you have donated with Vitalant or Central Blood Bank before or "New Donor" for first-time contributions. Schedule an appointment using the group code HS010245. Otherwise, contact Sempkowski at charles.sempkowski@buckeyelocal.net or call Vitalant at (412) 209-7000 or Rachel at (412) 736-5506. Information also is available at vitalant.org or its Instagram, Twitter and Facebook pages.
Spaghetti dinner fundraiser at St. Thomas Episcopal Church
WEIRTON -- St. Thomas Episcopal Church, located at 300 Three Springs Drive, Weirton, is having a spaghetti dinner on March 18 from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.
The dinner includes spaghetti, salad and bread, and the cost is $12 for adults and $10 for children.
"This fundraiser is to help Maria Sikora achieve her Girl Scout silver award in redesigning the walk within St. Thomas' memorial garden," a church spokesperson explained.
There will be a Chinese auction with opportunities to win a variety of baskets.
Patrons can dine in or get takeout. For takeout orders, call (304) 723-4120 after 1 p.m. the day of the fundraiser.
Dinner March 19 to benefit Camp Scholarship Fund
BURGETTSTOWN -- A pasta dinner fundraiser will be held March 19 in the fellowship hall at Paris Presbyterian Church, located at 127 Steubenville Pike, Burgettstown.
The hours are from noon to 2 p.m. with the cost by donation to benefit the Camp Scholarship Fund.
Takeout orders available by calling the church office at (724) 729-3450.
Free support group Mondays
for domestic violence victims
WEIRTON -- The CHANGE Inc. Domestic Violence Awareness Center is offering a free support group for the victims and survivors of domestic violence.
The group will meet every Monday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., at the Domestic Violence Awareness Center, located at 3058 West St., Weirton. The support group is open to the public, and no registration is required. The center offers 24-hour safe shelter, safety planning, advocacy and referral to community services. For information or to access 24-hour safe shelter admission, call (304) 797-7233.
Never Alone holds monthly meetings at Weirton church
WEIRTON -- Never Alone WV, a nonprofit Christian organization that supports an addiction-free community, hosts monthly meetings at Crossroads Church on Penco Road in Weirton.
The meetings are always on the second Monday of the month, and they begin at 6:30 p.m. All are welcome to attend.
"We support those struggling, their families and friends and community that wants to make a difference to attend," noted founder Patti Barnabei. "We assist with getting into detox, rehab and half-way homes," she added.
For information or questions, contact Barnabei at (304) 797-1579.
Each month features a speaker sharing his or her of hope, according to Barbabei. "If you would like to be a speaker, feel free to call."