United Way hosting Tuesday blood drive in Valparaiso
The United Way-Northwest Indiana and the American Red Cross Northwest Indiana Chapter are working to turn the tide on the drastic drop in blood donations nationwide in July. According to American Red Cross officials, July saw a 25% drop in donations, due in large part to record-setting heat across the country.
The blood drive will be held from 9 a.m.- 3 p.m. Tuesday at 951 Eastporte Centre Dr. in Valparaiso.
The United Way NWI and the American Red Cross-Northwest Indiana Chapter last year worked together to collect 29 pints of blood, or enough to potentially help 87 people, and welcomed three first-time donors in just one day.
Interested donors can text BLOODAPP to 90999 or go to redcrossblood.org/give to schedule their donations.
Shirley Heinze Land Trust, partners to host Wellness Walk
The public is invited to take part in a Wellness Walk through prairie habitat, chat with healthcare professionals and learn about the health benefits of nature from 3 to 5 p.m. Saturday at Cressmoor Prairie Nature Preserve. Participants can park at the west entrance, 615 W. 40th Ave., Hobart. This free event is hosted by Shirley Heinze Land Trust, Purdue University Nutrition Education Program and Powers Health. Wellness Walks will be held on the 10th of each month until October, and will take place in various Shirley Heinze nature preserves throughout northwestern Indiana. Each walk will focus on a variety of conservation, physical activity and health related topics. For more information, visit www.heinzetrust.org/wellness-walks/, or call 219-242-8558 or 219-670-0394.
Purdue University Extension to hold ServSafe class
Purdue University Extension – Lake County is offering a ServSafe
Food Manager one-day class and examination on Aug. 21 at 2291 N. Main St., Crown Point. Register at https://cvent.me/DgkMVr. More information is with Linda Curley at 219-755-3240. Those in need of reasonable accommodations to attend this program are asked to contact Curley at 219-755-3240 by Monday.
Black Chamber of Commerce offers business finance workshop
The Black Chamber of Commerce of Northwest Indiana will offer an Access to Capital workshop from 9 to 11:30 a.m. Aug. 15 at Brown Skin Coffee, 1925 W. 25th Ave., Gary. Designed to provide essential insights and tools to secure funding for business ventures, the workshop will help guide participants through the business loan process. The workshop also will cover key components required for securing loans and making informed business decisions such as how to complete balance sheets, profit and loss statements and projection paperwork. The cost is $25 for members, $35 for non members. Register at https://buy.stripe.com/7sI3cZdsrcM06f6cN0?fbclid=IwY2xjawEZLjhleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHeg2CWWhqxX1BTkMfKikdYzLmhHbDtLI6TocsfXvFdbxgURTBYAb9CBc5g_aem_166W-XB_ws2Jctlx_3vDWA. More information about the Black Chamber of Commerce of Northwest Indiana can be found at https://nbccin.org.
‘Add a Little Prairie to Your Garden’ with Master Gardeners
Join the Lake County Master Gardeners as they present a free program, “Add a Little Prairie to Your Garden,” at 10 a.m. Aug. 17 at Purdue Cooperative Extension – Lake County, 2293 N. Main St., Crown Point. Learn what native prairie plants work well in a home garden setting, and how to choose the best plants for your location. Cindy Crosby, lecturer and author, will lead the program. A Master Gardener, Crosby teaches in the Master Naturalist program and has served as a prairie steward and volunteer for more than a decade. Contact lakecountymastergardeners@gmail.com or use the link,
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdPaUGtI3dx13bcJ9TSV1SUkxu2TsrL7wgysxbeJQqjBjGgpQ/viewform to reserve your space.
Benefit dinner for VNA Meals on Wheels
Don Quijote Restaurante will host a benefit dinner for the Visiting Nurse Association (VNA) Meals on Wheels of Porter County from 2 to 5 p.m. on Aug. 25 at 119 E. Lincolnway, Valparaiso. Don Quijote owners Carlos Rivero and Elena Jambrina are generously donating all of the food, wine, staffing and venue. All funds raised will go directly to feed seniors in need. Tickets for the event are $125, which includes a four-course meal of Manchego cheese and Spanish Olives, Campiñones, Albondigas, and Patatas Bravas, Blackened Red Fish with Sautéed Shrimp and Salad, homemade dessert and unlimited wine. The event also will feature a 50/50 and multiple wine raffles, and a live and silent auction. The VNA Meals on Wheels of Porter County program helps seniors and other homebound residents maintain independence by providing a nutritional hot lunch and optional light supper. VNA provides nearly $100,000 in community care through the Meals on Wheels of Porter County program each year. To learn more, visit https://vnanwi.org/services/vna-meals-on-wheels.php. Tickets to the dinner can be purchased at VNAMOW24.givesmart.com. More information is with Maria Galka at 219-531-8078 or mgalka@vnanwi.org or Monica Hamline at 219-531-8049 or mhamline@vnanwi.org.