Roll Up Sleeve, Give A Precious Gift During Blood Drive

Someone in America needs blood every three seconds, yet only 1 percent of the population gives blood. Another fact: individuals who live to age 72, have a 95 percent probability of needing blood or blood products sometime in their lives.

In an effort to raise public awareness of the need to replenish and maintain the blood supply, and to inspire people to make blood donations routinely, the Inland Northwest Blood Center joins Gonzaga University in a monthlong communitywide blood drive, beginning Tuesday.

GU’s vice president, the Rev. Frank Costello, officially kicks off the blood drive during an 11 a.m. ceremony at Martin Centre, underscoring Gonzaga’s commitment to fulfilling the university’s mission statement calling for community service. Here are the dates and donation sites of the October blood drive:

Oct. 1 and 2, Gonzaga University, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.

Oct. 6, St. John Vianney Roman Catholic Church, 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

Oct. 10, Spokane Falls Community College, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Oct. 12, Inland Northwest Blood Center, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Oct. 15, Eastern Washington University, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Oct. 16, Spokane Community College, 9:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.

Oct. 18, Holy Family Hospital, 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m.

Oct. 26, NorthTown Mall, 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

Oct. 31, West Valley High school, 8 a.m.-2 p.m.

Donors must be at least 16 years old, and those under 18 need written parental permission. Donors must be in good health and weigh at least 110 pounds. Additionally, blood donors must wait eight weeks after their last blood donation, six weeks after pregnancy, and 72 hours after taking antibiotics or undergoing major dental work.

The blood drive is co-sponsored by 65 business, health-care, religious, community service and educational organizations. For questions on donor eligibility, call the INBC, 624-0151, or visit its facility at 507 S. Washington.

Art workshops

Mark your calendar for fall workshops offered at the Corbin Art Center, 507 W. Seventh. Unless specified, these workshops are for adults only.

Learn to make “Decorative Victorian Tassels,” Oct. 17, 6:30-9 p.m., led by Carrie Vielle ; $19.

“Painting People with Colored Pencil,” is Nov. 2, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., taught by Shelly Stewart, for teens and adults; $29.

Richard Tuttle presents a “Mystery Writing Workshop,” Nov. 9, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; $19.

For class registration, call 625-6200.

Nonprofit events

The Eastern Washington Chapter of the Alzheimer’s Association invites the community to participate in its third Memory Walk - and a Doggy Walk - Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Both walks benefit local Alzheimer’s victims and their families.

Participants are asked to collect sponsors prior to the events which begin at the Flour Mill entrance of Riverfront Park.

The Memory Walk is designed for families of all fitness levels with routes varying in distances of 1, 2 and 4 miles. Start time is 9:30 a.m. with check-in beginning at 8.

The Doggy Walk is a 1-mile stroll for walkers of all ages and their dogs (no other pets). Dog walkers are asked to use a leash, bring proof of rabies inoculation and provide an ID tag for the animal.

Walkers can qualify for a local prize drawing by collecting at least $50 in donations. There will also be food, drinks and T-shirts.

Turn in sponsor donations and pre-register for the events on Friday, 4 to 7 p.m., at Cavanaugh’s Inn At The Park; or Saturday, at 7:30 a.m. at Riverfront Park. For more information, call 483-8456.

Spokane County nonprofit organizations may apply for grants from the Women Helping Women Fund, dedicated to empowering women and children to create healthy families and vibrant communities. Deadline for grant applications is Oct. 31; recipients will be announced in February 1997.

For those interested in learning how applications are reviewed for the fund, two free workshops will be offered at the Women Helping Women office, 405 S. Stevens: Oct. 7, 1-3 p.m.; and Oct. 9, 8-10 a.m. To register, call 747-0802.

The Autumn Fair, an annual bazaar sponsored by the Sisters of the Holy Names of Jesus and Mary Washington Province, is Oct. 8, from 6 to 9 p.m.; and Oct. 9, from 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Held at the Convent of the Holy Names, 2911 W. Fort Wright Drive, event proceeds help support retired Holy Names Sisters. Homemade bazaar items will include jewelry, hand-knit baby sets, holiday decorations, and religious articles.

For more information, call 328-7470.

The Junior League of Spokane will hold its annual “Whale of a Sale” rummage sale, Oct. 12, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Spokane Interstate Fairgrounds.

Admission is free; sale proceeds will be used for Junior League projects benefiting Impact Spokane, Kids on the Block, Ogden Hall, Teen Career Connection and more. Sale merchandise will include clothing, toys, books, housewares, antiques, sporting goods, electronics and holiday decorations.

The public is invited to attend the 11th annual Poor Man’s Meal, Oct. 13, from noon to 2 p.m., sponsored by Catholic Charities.

The event benefits the House of Charity, serving more than 60,000 poor and homeless in our community with shelter, food and clothing. The project is funded entirely by donations from individuals and businesses.

Reservations for the simple lunch can be made by sending a $10 donation, payable to: House of Charity, P.O. Box 1453, Spokane, WA 99210-1453. Participants may also pay at the door.

For more information, call Catholic Charities, 456-7150.

For the record

Kudos to Rockwood Retirement Community for providing more than 30 box lunches to Shea Construction Co. workers on Saturday as they built Spokane’s 40th Habitat for Humanity home. Rockwood residents delivered the noon meal during the “Blitz Build” event, later returning to the site for a dedication ceremony.

To increase public awareness and support, The American Lupus Society has merged with the Lupus Foundation of America, combining volunteer and financial resources.

The organization will continue to operate as the Lupus Foundation of America with headquarters in Rockville, Md. It is dedicated to finding the cause of and cure for lupus while serving more than 200,000 people each year.

Marge Garrett, founding officer of the Greater Spokane Chapter of The American Lupus Society was recently elected to the executive committee of the national lupus foundation. For more information on the local chapter, call 326-4010.

, DataTimes