The American Red Cross is reporting that the blood inventory levels are so low it is unable to sufficiently meet the demand of local hospitals. While there is a constant need for all blood types, donors with type O positive, O negative, A positive and A negative are asked to take an hour to donate right away. Please see the attached information regarding eligibility requirements and locations of blood drives. red-cross.pdf

The United Way of Central Carolinas recently approved Allocations of approx. $1.9 million to its 18 Union County agencies. “People helping people” is what it boils down to for Richard Heins, United Way Vice Pres. of Union County operations. He reminds us that one of the best aspects of donating money in Union County is that 100% of that money stays in the county. Donations to the Union County United Way chapter came in at just over the $1.8 million goal but almost $1.9 million was allocated back into the county. The allocation process to those agencies is an incredible process. A group of volunteers, sometimes business leaders, sometimes retired community leaders, gather to form a committee. Individuals from that committee will go to United Way agencies, interview officials and scrupulously go through their budgets and operating procedures to determine the level of need. According to Union County Community Shelter Executive Director Tim Gray , he knows that he needs to have his ducks in a row if he wants his programs funded. “if you are not doing a good job, they will notice it and decrease your funding”, he said and called the process “A good housekeeping sort of approval.” For more information about the United Way process, please see the attached article that appeared in the July 6 edition of the Enquirer Journal. united-way.pdf

“Super Sitter”
Time: Thursday, July 17th and 24th, 6:30 to 8:30 pm
Place: 600 Hospital Dr., Monroe
This free two-part class prepares young people (ages 11 to 15) for the many responsibilities associated with caring for infants and young children. Topics include infant/child growth development, the importance of age-appropriate play, childcare, home safety, first aid discipline and the business aspects of babysitting.
Call 704-283-BABY to register.

“Boot Camp for New Dads”
Time: Saturday, July 19th, 10 am to 1 pm
Place: 600 Hospital Dr., Monroe
This program brings “rookie” fathers-to-be together with “veteran” recent dads and their newborns. Topics discussed include fatherhood, tips on newborn care, becoming a family and supporting the new mom. The cost is $10
Call 704-283-BABY to register

“Kids Care Health Fair”

Time: Saturday, July 19th, 10 am to 2 pm
Place: CMC-Union Campus, 600 Hospital Dr., Monroe
This fun-filled, kid-centered event will feature tae kwon do demonstrations, the Monroe Fire Department Smoke House, lots of games and great prizes. While the kids are having a blast, parents can collect valuable healthcare information for their family. Admission is free. The first 200 kids will receive a free backpack.
For more information call 704-993-2265

For a complete list of classes, visit www.cmc-union.org/calendar

Hospice of Union County will be offering volunteer training on July 28,29, and 31, 9:00a.m. to 1 p.m. at the office in Waxhaw. Volunteers are the heart of Hospice. They provide support to patients and their families, either in the patient's home or at the Hospice Houses on the main campus in Monroe. Training sessions will be held at the Hospice Services of Western Union County office at 703 W. South Main St., Suite B., Waxhaw. For more information, call 704-243-4424 or 704-292-2112 or visit their Web site at www.houc.org

In an effort to help states whose Red Cross funds have been almost depleted due to recent flooding, the Union County Chapter of the American Red Cross is partnering with Monroe Mall to sell sandbags that will be displayed in the mall this month. For each $5 donation, participants will get a minisandbag. The proceeds will be donated to the recent victims of the Iowa floods. In addition, the mall has built a levee in the center court area surrounded by sandbags and photographs of the flooded region. A free concert has also been scheduled for July 19 at the mall on U.S. 74 to further support the efforts. Playing will be the Tara Allison Band, recently seen at Speed Street. Proceeds will go to the Red Cross. Information is available at 704-289-6547.

The first-ever chicken barbecue for Turning Point will be held July 25. The event will be 11a.m. to 7p.m. at Belk Tonawonda Park. Plates are $7.50 and include 1/4 chicken, roll, slaw, beans and dessert, abailable for eat-in or take-out. For details or tickets call Jamie Underwood or Tina Simpson (704-283-9150). Turning Point is Union County’s shelter for victims of domestic abuse. Turning Point also has a Resale Shop of “gently used” women’s clothing at 1401 D West Roosevelt Blvd. Many of the clothes are designer brands that are of excellent quality.
If there is an individual readying this who is being abused and needs the services of Turning Point, please pick up the phone and call 704-283-9150 or get information at the resale shop (704-226-1848). There is 24-hr. help available and is just a call away.

Date: Tuesday, July 1,2008

Time: 7:00 pm

The Union County Disabled American Veterans Chapter 95 is proud to announce the opening of their new office (thank you Parker Mills) located at 100-B Myers St. Monroe. Special guests will include US House of Rep. Sue Myrick & Robin Hayes, as well as many other local officials. All veterans and their families, as well as the general public are invited to attend. Light refreshments will be served by the DAV Auxiliary.

For more details please call 704-635-7908 or e-mail unionncdav@earthlink.net

MARK YOUR CALENDAR for Thursday, June 26, 2008 at 4:30 pm. Celebrate the ARTS with Union Symphony Society, Inc. at the Charmber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting and Grand Opening of the Symphony’s new Downtown Monroe Location, 211 N. Main Street, Suite C-1 (the old Woolworth Building). Light refreshments will be served and music will be provided by several members of the Symphony Orchestra in the “Loft”. This event will kick off the 2008-9 Membership Drive and exciting events for the new season will be announced.
Nola McCollum, Executive Director
Union Symphony Society, Inc

The 44th. Army National Guard Band will be in concert on Tuesday, June 24, at 7:00pm at Austin Auditorium, Wingate University. The concert is free and open to the public and will include musical selections from the full concert band, the Jazz Patriots and the Minutemen. The band is composed of 52 citizen soldiers who, in civilian life, are college students, educators, businessmen and women and professional people. The band has earned numerous awards including Outstanding North Carolina National Guard unit and the Eisenhower trophy as an outstanding Army unit. The program is sponsored by Wingate University and the Union County Community Arts Council.

Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the Naional Assoc. of Realtors, addresses the problem that we are facing in the housing market and tells of a tool that Congress could use to do something about it. “A crisis in confidence is what’s keeping home sales from rising. Our mortgage interest rates are at historic lows”, he says and “households that can afford to buy today are making the decision to wait ” in the hope that home prices will continue falling. “Our federal lawmakers have a tool under consideration that will break the vicious cycle of hisitancy that grips our markets: a homeownership tax credit for owner-occupying buyers. The District of Columbia has used such a tx credit for years with great success. Several proposals in Congress would apply vaiations of it nationwide” with credits being given of up to $7000. “The cycle of fear that grips our housing markets can be broken with passage of this modest tax break for home buyers.” Let’s encourage our lawmakers to consider such a bill.