Santa Rosa Community Briefs

Blood donations needed for Texas flooding

MILTON — OneBlood, the local nonprofit blood center serving the southeastern United States, is preparing to send blood to Texas and stands ready to assist until further notice.

To ensure enough blood is available locally and for Texas, OneBlood urges all eligible donors to donate blood as soon as possible. While all blood types are needed, there is an urgent call for O-negative and O-positive blood, as well as platelet and plasma donations.

The Big Red Bus will be available at the following Santa Rosa County dates and locations.

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 8 — Santa Rosa High School and Adult School, 5330 Berryhill Road in Milton

9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 11 — Locklin Technical Center, 5330 Berryhill Road in Milton

Devastating floods, massive destruction and continued record-setting rainfall is preventing blood centers in Texas from being able to collect blood.  This scenario is expected to continue for the foreseeable future.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, OneBlood and other blood centers are working with Blood Centers of America and America’s Blood Centers to provide needed blood.

Generally healthy people age 16 or older who weigh at least 110 pounds can donate blood. Photo ID is required.

Visit oneblood.org/donate-now or call 888-936-6283 for the hours and locations of OneBlood Donor Centers and Big Red Bus drives.

Catfish dinner to take place at Masonic lodge

MILTON — The Order of the Eastern Star is sponsoring a $10 fried fish dinner.

From 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 9, visitors can eat at the Santa Rosa Masonic Lodge, 5158 Pike St. in Milton at the corner of Highway 90 and Canal Street.

The menu includes fish, hush puppies, coleslaw, baked beans, and cheese grits. The price includes beverages and dessert.  Takeout plates will be available.

Call Carolyn Kranz at 981-1935 for details.

Nationally renowned speaker to talk on overcoming obstacles

EAST MILTON — Nationally known speaker David Ring will be speaking 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. Sept. 10 at East Side Baptist Church in East Milton, 4884 Ward Basin Road.

The service will focus on how to emerge victorious rather than victimized in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds.

Born in 1953, Ring developed cerebral palsy due to 18 minutes of oxygen deprivation at birth.

Orphaned at the age of 14 after both parents died of cancer, he moved from family to family with nowhere to call home. He endured physical pain, humiliating public ridicule and discouragement.

After surrendering his heart and life to Jesus Christ, he learned self-respect and acceptance of his physical challenges, according to a media release.

FreedomWorks member, media critic to address Santa Rosa Republicans

NAVARRE — The Santa Rosa County Republican Executive Committee Lincoln Day Dinner will take place 4 p.m. Sept. 30 at the Creekside Southern Grill at the Club at Hidden Creek, 3070 P.G.A Blvd., Navarre.  Luke Rosiak from the Daily Caller and C.L. Bryant of FreedomWorks will serve as keynote speakers.

A VIP reception, with speakers and elected officials, starts at 4 p.m., followed by dinner and presentations from 5 to 8 p.m. Tickets cost $75 per person for non-members and $60 per person for members. VIP seats cost $100 while $125 tickets include the VIP reception and dinner.

Text 207-0494 or email pattyburke5@gmail.com for ticket purchases and further details.

Vendors, artists and crafters sought for fair

MILTON — St. Mary’s Episcopal Church seeks artists and crafters for its annual Winter Arts and Crafts Fair.

This event is set noon to 7 p.m. Dec. 1 and from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 2 at the historic church on 6849 Oak St., in Milton. The church seeks vendors to showcase their handiwork including custom jewelry, art, woodcrafts and candles.

Inside booth space is available for $45 for both days and includes one 6-foot table. Outside booths are $20 for one day and $35 for both. Set-up will be from 9-11:30 a.m. Dec. 1. Space is limited. Use of electricity costs $5.

Contact the church at 623-2905 or stmarysmiltonflorida@gmail.com for a vendor application.

This article originally appeared on Santa Rosa Press Gazette: Santa Rosa Community Briefs