Events of Tuesday, June 30, 2020

Red Cross Blood Drives. The American Red Cross is now testing all blood, platelet and plasma donations for COVID-19 antibodies. The antibody test used by the Red Cross is authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and may indicate if the donor’s immune system has produced antibodies to the coronavirus, regardless of whether they developed symptoms.  At the same time, there continues to be an urgent need for blood donations after hospital demand for blood products increased in recent weeks. The attached news release provides more detail about the antibody testing, how the Red Cross is helping protect the health and safety of donors and staff at blood drives, and why there is an urgent need for donors right now.

Tuesday, June 30  St. Joseph’s Shrine, 8743 U.S. 12, Brooklyn 11 AM to 4:45 PM

Tuesday, June 30  First Presbyterian Church, 743 West Michigan, Jackson.  10:00 AM – 03:45 PM

Salvation Army Food Pantry.  The Salvation Army of Jackson County Food Pantry Hours:  Regular Pantry Hours are 10 am-noon and 1-2 pm Monday through Thursday.  Food Boxes are available every 30 days.*In an emergency food may be provided from 2-4:30 pm -please call ahead – 517-782-7185.  The Fresh Food Initiative (FFI) starts July 13 and is every Monday from 9-10:30 am -through September 28. FFI is closed on Labor Day.  FFI is available to any one in need – please bring ID.

Jackson YMCA Outdoor Exercise Classes.  Join the outdoor group exercise classes at the downtown Jackson YMCA.  Free for members, $5 for most classes for non-members.  Bring a mat, water bottle and towel.  Complete schedule at jacksonymca.org

Jackson Art Teachers Virtual Art Show.  Jackson Art Teachers have come together during this unprecedented time to present a Virtual Art Show to celebrate the achievements of their student Pre-K through 12th grade artists!  Check out this amazing compilation of artwork created by Jackson County students at https://www.jxnartteachers.org/

Jackson YMCA Summer Camp Registration.  Summer Vibe 2020.  Get ready for a fun, safe summer day camp for ages 6-11.   Hours are 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM.  Cost is $135/week for members, $175/week for the community.  To register or for more information, call 517-782-0537 or visit jacksonYMCA.org.  Sign up day, space is limited!

Explore The Trail System in Jackson.  Trails walking, hiking and biking are only a few of the ways you can make use of Jackson’s abundance of trails. Jackson’s trails give you a hundred great excuses to get out and experience nature in its purest form.

 Falling Waters Trail, an integral part of the statewide proposed Iron-Belle and Great Lake to Lake Trails. Placed where Michigan Central Railroad once stood, the Falling Waters Trail is a 10.6-mile linear park connecting the Village of Concord to the City of Jackson.  Next, the Falling Waters Trail continues for 3.4 miles as the Martin Luther King Equality Trail, formerly the Inter-City Trail, from Jackson’s Weatherwax Drive to Morrell Street. And finally, the Grand River Arts Walk leads walkers, joggers and cyclists from Downtown Jackson through the Arts District and onto Monroe Street.

Waterloo Recreation Area, the largest state park in the lower peninsula, contains enough trails to last a lifetime. 47 miles of hiking trails,12 miles of interpretive nature trails, and another 12 miles of equestrian trails are all nestled within 20,000 acres of protected forest.

The MacCready Reserve, south of town, includes 6.5 miles of dog-friendly trails among 400 acres of lush forest environment.

The Dahlem provides five miles of diverse trails. Walk among forests, fields, marshes and ponds, including a ⅜-mile trail for those with limited mobility, called the “The Nature For All Trail”. Trails are open year-round.