Events of Wednesday, March 25, 2020

Red Cross Blood Drive.  You can help your community meet a vital need. Jackson College will host an American Red Cross blood drive on Wednesday, March 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Victor Cuiss Fieldhouse.  

The American Red Cross faces a severe blood shortage due to the coronavirus outbreak prompting an unprecedented number of blood drive cancellations. To help this situation, Dr. Daniel J. Phelan, Jackson College president, has decided to allow the drive in the Fieldhouse despite the current campus closure. “I am assured that the Red Cross will deploy aggressive hygienic procedures to keep the environment safe for all,” Phelan said. 

This shortage is part of a national situation. Even the U.S. Surgeon General has noted the critical need. “You can still go out and give blood. We’re worried about potential blood shortages in the future. Social distancing does not have to mean social disengagement,” said U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams.

Healthy individuals are needed to donate now to help patients counting on lifesaving blood. Donating is a safe process with numerous precautions regularly in place. Please visit www.redcrossblood.org to learn more or to schedule an appointment for March 25. 

The Great American Takeout.  Americans are encouraged to support restaurants by ordering takeout or delivery.  Tag your photos:  #TheGreatAmericanTakeout on Facebook, @TheGATakeout on Twitter and @thegreatamericantakeout on Instagram.  Participate by ordering takeout from a Jackson area restaurant.  Support your favorite restaurant!  JTV has a listing of restaurants offering takeout and/or delivery here.  If you don’t see your favorite restaurant, check their Facebook page for menu and hours.  Did you miss it yesterday?  Takeout and delivery are available 7 days a week.

Dahlem Environmental Education Center.  All trails remain open from dawn to dusk daily including our dog friendly Butterfly trail off Wickwire Road. The one thing all health authorities agree on is the beneficial effects of getting out in nature during these stressful times. It is safe to go outdoors! Our beautiful wooded 300 acres and five miles of trails offer a wonderful antidote to being confined indoors. Please come out and enjoy the beauty of our trails.

Jackson County school districts are all providing free lunch and breakfast to those 18 and under during the school shutdown.  A complete list can be found here.