Support the American Red Cross and become an everyday hero

PEORIA, Ill. (Feb. 23, 2015) – In honor of Red Cross Month in March, the American Red Cross encourages people to uncover their inner hero and donate blood or platelets, volunteer their time or sign up to organize a blood drive.

Since 1943, every president has designated March as Red Cross Month to recognize how the Red Cross helps people down the street and across the country.

"The everyday heroes are those who donate blood, volunteer, take a lifesaving class, host a blood drive or make a financial contribution to help neighbors here in Illinois and across the nation," said Greg Novinska, CEO of the Heart of America Blood Services Region. "We thank and honor these everyday heroes who support the Red Cross."

People also can become everyday heroes by hosting a SleevesUp virtual blood drive or creating a team via the Blood Donor App. SleevesUp provides an easy way for Red Cross supporters to encourage those in their networks to give blood or platelets to honor someone's life, celebrate a special occasion or simply bring people together to help save lives. Campaigns can be created online at redcrossblood.org/SleevesUp.

The Blood Donor App allows individuals to find a local blood or platelet donation opportunity, schedule appointments and track their donation history. Plus, it lets users create teams and recruit friends and family to roll up a sleeve with them. The Blood Donor App is available for download by texting BLOODAPP to 90999 or by visiting redcrossblood.org/BloodApp.

"It doesn't take superpowers to be a hero for a patient in need - just a little time," added Novinska. Blood donors with all blood types, particularly O negative, A negative and B negative, and platelet donors are encouraged to make an appointment to give.

How to donate blood

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information. All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver's license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

About the American Red Cross

The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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ST. LOUIS, MO (02/23/2015)(readMedia)-- Kyrstin Plohr of Rock Island, Ill., earned Deans' List honors for the Fall 2014 semester at Maryville University in St. Louis. Plohr is currently studying for a Bachelor of Science in Accounting.

Maryville undergraduate students are eligible for the Deans' List when they complete at least 12 Maryville University credit hours in a semester with a minimum of a 3.5 grade-point average on a 4.0 (perfect) scale.

About Maryville University:

Founded in 1872, Maryville University is a selective, comprehensive, and nationally ranked private institution with an enrollment of nearly 6,000 students. Maryville offers more than 75 degrees at the undergraduate, masters and doctoral levels to students from 50 states and 30 countries. Consistently ranked as a top private school by Forbes and Kiplinger's, in 2012 and 2013, Maryville was named the No. 1 Overperforming University in the nation by U.S. News & World Report. Maryville's athletics teams compete at the Division II level in the Great Lakes Valley Conference.

IOWA CITY - Senior leaders from the Iowa City VA Health Care System and the Veterans Benefits Administration Regional Office will hold a Veterans' Town Hall event from noon - 1:30 p.m. on March 12, 2015 at the Decorah Public Library, in Decorah, IA.
The town hall is designed to gain open and honest feedback from Veterans, their family members and other beneficiaries. VA also welcomes input from congressional stakeholders, Veteran service organizations, nongovernmental organizations and other community partners.
VA facilities around the country are holding town hall meetings on a quarterly basis "to improve communication with, and hear directly from, Veterans nationwide."
"Caring for Veterans is a calling, and our first commitment is to provide Veterans and their families the timely, quality care and benefits they have earned and deserve through their service to our Nation," said VA Secretary Robert McDonald. "As we seek continual improvement and to rebuild trust among Veterans, it is critical that we continue to listen and learn directly from those who use our system."
The library is located at: 202 Winnebago St Decorah, IA 52101
For more information, contact jonathan.pruett@va.gov or call 319-339-7104
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BRAMPTON, Ont. (February 23, 2015) - Chad Painchaud ripped off a hat trick and added an assist as the host Brampton Beast (17-32-2) defeated the Quad City Mallards (26-20-6) 5-2 Monday.

The Beast took control by scoring three second period goals- including two in just nine seconds.  Painchaud kick-started the Brampton onslaught by pouncing on a rebound to even the score at two just a minute and eight seconds into the second.  At 6:32 Painchaud scored the tie-breaker from the slot. Mere moments later, at 6:41, Justin Donati- who also had three assists- rifled in the fourth Brampton goal from the right wing circle.

Painchaud completed his hat trick by burying the Beast's fourth unanswered goal for the doorstep at 6:08 of the third period.

The Beast had first jumped in front with Mike MacIsaac's tip-in just 34 seconds into the game.  The Mallards were shorthanded when Justin Fox tied the game at one by backhanding Mario Lamoureux's centering pass home at 4:56 of the first.  Logan Nelson converted Jeff Lee's centering feed to break the deadlock at 17:08 of the opening frame, but it was the Beast who would come roaring back in the second period.

The Mallards next play at home Wednesday evening at 7:05 p.m. against the Allen Americans.  Fans can purchase four tickets to each Mallards Wednesday home game this season for just $20.  In addition, after each Wednesday home contest, fans can join the Mallards at T.G.I. Friday's on River Drive in Moline- adjacent to the iWireless Center- for a postgame party.

Tickets for all remaining Mallards regular season home games- including Wednesday's tilt- are on sale now at the iWireless Center box office, Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com and Ticketmaster charge-by-phone toll free at 1-800-745-3000.  The box office is open weekdays from 10:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and game days from 10:00 a.m. until the start of the second period.  Tickets are available for $10, $16, $20 and $28.

 

About the Quad City Mallards
A proud affiliate of the National Hockey League's Minnesota Wild and the American Hockey League's Iowa Wild, the Quad City Mallards are in the midst of their eighteenth season and their first in the ECHL.  One of the winningest teams in all of minor league hockey, the Mallards competed in the United Hockey League from 1995 through 2007; in the International Hockey League in 2009-10; and in the Central Hockey League from 2010 through 2014.  The Mallards' proud history has seen them capture the UHL's Colonial Cup Championship three times (1997, 1998, 2001) and secure that league's Tarry Cup four times (1998, 2000, 2001, 2002) for the best overall regular season record.  In 2001, the Mallards made professional hockey history, recording their sixth consecutive season with 50 or more wins, a feat that has yet to be matched.  The iWireless Center provides a unique environment for hockey and features one-of-a-kind seating areas such as the Nest for groups and functions and the exclusive Drake Club.  For more information on the Quad City Mallards or for Mallards tickets go to www.myqcmallards.net.  Fans can also follow the Mallards via Twitter at twitter.com/myqcmallards and on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/qcmallards.