Blood Center
seeks donors
Community Blood Center of the Ozarks is currently on a critical appeal for all blood types. There is less than a one-day supply in reserve, and some hospitals are not fully stocked with certain types. Over 7,500 donations have been lost since the covid-19 pandemic took shape.
CBCO's Springdale Donor Center is located at 3503 S. Thompson Road. The Bentonville Donor Center is located t 1400 S.E. Walton Boulevard. Hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday. Appointments are strongly recommended to maintain social distancing guidelines and ensure a smooth donation experience.
Information: (800) 280-5337.
Food bank
gets grant
In an effort to continue to provide food to those in need during this covid-19 crisis and continue the free school pantry program at Monitor Elementary School in Springdale during the coming months, Bank of America has awarded the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank a $45,000 grant. This contribution designates $10,000 for the school pantry program at Monitor Elementary and $35,000 for covid-19 relief.
"We are so appreciative of the support Bank of America has shown us," said Kent Eikenberry, president/CEO of the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank. "In addition to financial support, which will go towards additional food purchasing, they have provided operational expertise, staff training and equally as important moral support during this stressful time. In short, they help us be better today than we were yesterday."
Food banks across the region have been seeing unprecedented need in recent weeks, setting records for daily and weekly food distribution, including the school pantries. With unemployment numbers still climbing and schools -- where many children receive the majority of their daily meals -- continuing to be closed, the demand is continuing to grow.
"At Bank of America, our well-being depends on the well-being of the communities we serve," said Donald J. Cook, Bank of America Arkansas president. "We are proud to be a longtime supporter of the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank and particularly proud of its work today in providing food to our most vulnerable neighbors in need. On behalf of our local teammates, a big thank you to the Northwest Arkansas Food Bank for its vital role in our community."
Information: arkansasfoodbank.org.
Hope Cancer
salutes 'Faces'
To commemorate the 33rd annual National Cancer Survivors Day on June 7, Hope Cancer Resources will honor cancer survivors with a virtual showcase of a new photo project, "The Faces of Hope."
Eight patients, survivors, caregivers and individuals who have connected with Hope Cancer Resources at any point on their cancer journey were photographed by Keith Branch from Branch Photography in a candid, personal portrait session. The photos and mission of the project is to connect "hope" to a person, to a story. No two are the same, and each comes with their own experiences.
The photos will be displayed at Hope Cancer Resources' office in Springdale and may be brought out into the community to show that the battle of cancer is fought by so many but hope is always present. The stories of hope and professional photographs will also be published on Hope Cancer Resources' website, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn accounts on June 7.
National Cancer Survivors Day is an annual celebration of life that is held around the world on the first Sunday in June. On National Cancer Survivors Day, participants honor cancer survivors and show the world that life after a cancer diagnosis can be fruitful, rewarding and inspiring.
Information: hopecancerresources.org.
Hope Cancer
offers support
• Free Tobacco Cessation Program: Hope Cancer Resources' certified health education specialist is available to support members of the community who are looking to quit smoking with nicotine replacement therapy and counseling.
• Emotional Support Through Cancer Battle: Hope Cancer Resources' team of counselors and social workers are supporting cancer patients and their families every day with a focus on emotional health, no matter the circumstance.
• Virtual Wellness Classes For Cancer Patients and Caregivers: The Wellness Center for Hope at Hope Cancer Resources has created a yoga and fitness class schedule via Zoom.
Information: (479) 361-5847.
Poetluck
is June 18
The Writers' Colony at Dairy Hollow will host a virtual Poetluck from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 18. WCDH has canceled public gatherings until further notice due to covid-19. However, the virtual Poetluck continues to be an opportunity to hear local writers and writers from across the nation read their work.
Hannah Bae will be joining from Brooklyn, N.Y., as the featured reader at this month's virtual Poetluck. She is the winner of the 2020 "Real People, Real Struggles, Real Stories: Writing About Mental Illness" fellowship. Bae was chosen from 31 entries for the fellowship awarded to a writer working on a short or long work of nonfiction focusing on how they (the writer or another) have managed and continue to manage mental illness. She received a fully funded two-week residency at WCDH, which was planned for May; however, covid-19 postponed those plans.
Bae worked for 10 years as a journalist before she decided to take the plunge, quit her job, and pursue her creative passion for telling stories about Korean-American culture and identity. While she was in the world of breaking news, she worked for CNN Business, Newsday and the U.S. State Department. She began her journalism career in Seoul on a Princeton-in-Asia fellowship that led to full-time editor positions at some of South Korea's largest news organizations and freelance work with the Associated Press, CNN Travel, the German press agency Deutsche Presse Agentur and other clients. Find out more about Bae at hannahbae.com.
Following Bae's reading, other writers will be invited to share their original work for up to 10 minutes. Readings may be poems, prose or songs. To be added to the list of readers, please email director@writerscolony.org. Reading slots are on a first-come basis and are limited to 10 with an additional two if time allows. The link for joining the Zoom meeting can be found below.
Poetluck is always the third Thursday of every month produced by The Writers' Colony at Dairy Hollow. It starts at 6:30 p.m. with writers joining via Zoom and spectators participating by attending a watch party on the WCDH Facebook page at facebook.com/writerscolonyatdairyhollow.
Information: (479)253-7444 or writerscolony.org.
OLLI sets
new classes
The Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at the University of Arkansas has announced the following classes in an online format for the upcoming week:
•June 10: "Real Toads In Imaginary Gardens -- A Poetry Workshop," members, $39; nonmembers, $54.
•June 11: "Stay Sharper Longer: 9 Habits To Boost Brain Power," members, $25; nonmembers, $40.
Information: (479) 575-4545 or olli.uark.edu.