Neighborhood news: Gainesville Health Center sponsors blood drive

On Thursday, July 9 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Gainesville Health & Rehab Center will sponsor a blood drive in its activity room.

"Each donation could save up to three lives," said Jeanna Snyder, recreation director.

All participants will receive a gift as a token of appreciation.

Donors must be 17 years old, or 16 with parental consent, must weigh at least 110 pounds, be in general good health, have not received a tattoo within the past year and have not donated 56 days prior.

More information about the blood donation process is available at www.myredcross.org.

Contact Snyder at 571-248-6100 or jeannasnyder@ghrcenter.com to schedule your donation.

Gainesville Health and Rehab Center is located at 7501 Heritage Village Plaza, Gainesville.

Heritage Hunt to hold blood drive July 20 at country club

Heritage Hunt will offer another opportunity to donate blood July 20 in the ballroom at Heritage Hunt Country Club, 6921 Netherstone Court, Gainesville.

"As always there is a huge need for donations," said Joanne Tuttle, drive coordinator.

Appointments will be scheduled between 1 and 6 p.m.

To schedule a donation or for additional information, call the American Red Cross at 1-800-GIVELIFE (448-3543).

Rotary Club planning Children's Wellness Festival this September

A large group of Rotary Club of Gainesville-Haymarket members stayed after a recent meeting to collate fliers for the Children's Wellness Festival to be held Sept. 26.

Goals of the festival include reaching as many children as possible who need health services; educating children and their parents in healthy lifestyles through proper nutrition and exercise; making referrals to professional medical services when need is identified; providing information on resources within the community to accomplish and maintain a safe and healthy lifestyle.

The Children's Wellness Festival offers a county-fair style approach with stations where children and their parents can be evaluated for and learn about height/weight/BMI; chest/heart/lungs; eyes/ears; dental health; physical fitness; nutrition; hand washing; gang awareness; fingerprinting; disability services; after-school and community activities.

Keep an eye out for more information or contact Amelia Stansell, club public relations, at 208-989-4887.

The Gainesville Group to meet on July 13

On Monday, July 13 from 7 to 9 p.m., The Gainesville Group will meet at Zed's, 6850 Piedmont Center Plaza, Building C, Gainesville. Zed's is located north of U.S. 29 on Va. 55.

The proposed agenda includes firming up the group's activities supporting SERVE, a Manassas-based, non-profit organization offering a homeless shelter, food pantry and other services.

Group members will also discuss ongoing campaign support, possibly including a barbecue with pot luck. There will be updates on the Prince William and Gainesville Democratic Committees.

The Gainesville Group is made up of community activists and former Obama campaign volunteers based in western Prince William County. The group's motto is "Democrats for Country, County, Service."

For more information, e-mail thegainesvillegroup@gmail.com.

Note: Katherine Gotthardt is not a member of any political party.

Katherine Gotthardt reports your neighborhood news from the Gainesville and Haymarket area every Wednesday in the News & Messenger. If you have news about birthdays, your family, your club or your homeowner association's activities, please send it to Katherine at kgotthardt@comcast.net.