PELLA, (05/01/2013)(readMedia)-- Central College senior art majors displayed their final works of art in the Central College Senior Thesis Show in the Mills Gallery on campus the week of April 22.

Samantha Scheckel, a Bettendorf native, will graduate from Central in May with an art major. Her thesis project was titled "People as Prey." Scheckel used distressed wood as a canvas and created the art with acrylics and spray paint.

Central College is a residential liberal arts college dedicated to the education of 1,500 undergraduate students. Guided by its ecumenical Christian tradition, the college community engages in vigorous, free, open inquiry in pursuit of academic excellence. Founded in 1853, the college is affiliated with the Reformed Church in America and NCAA Division III athletics.

Central is a recognized leader in study abroad as a result of its international, residential programs. Central College is located in Pella, Iowa, a thriving community of 10,000 two minutes from the state's largest lake and 40 minutes southwest of Des Moines. Please visit the college website at www.central.edu.

PEORIA, Ill. (May 1, 2013) ? With summer right around the corner, many people are now planning their summer activities and vacations. After all, summer is a time to create lifelong memories. When eligible donors give blood with the American Red Cross, they can also give others time to make their own memories ? watching fireworks, having a picnic, sleeping under the stars, taking a dip or rooting for the home team.

Blood donations often decline during the summer, when schools are out and vacations are in. The Red Cross encourages donors to make an appointment to give now to help ensure a stable supply in the weeks and months ahead, giving patients a chance to create a summer of stories.

Donors who present to give blood between May 23 and 31 in honor of Memorial Day could win one of five $1,000 American Express gift cards to create their own summer of stories. In addition, their donations will honor those who gave their life for our country and support those in need of care. The Red Cross serves about 3,000 hospitals and transfusion centers across the country, including many Veterans Affairs medical centers.

Learn more and make an appointment to donate blood by visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Clinton County
May 18 from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Law Enforcement Center, 241 Seventh Ave. North in Clinton, Iowa
May 24 from 12-6 p.m. at Wild Rose Casino & Resort, 777 Wild Rose Drive in Clinton, Iowa
May 28 from 3-6 p.m. at Clinton Church of Christ, 210 N. 13th St. in Clinton, Iowa

Henry County
May 22 from 2-6 p.m. at First Christian Church, 105 Dwight St. in Kewanee, Ill.
May 28 from 1-6 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 214 NW Second Ave. in Galva, Ill.

Mercer County
May 21 from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at VFW Hall, 106 SW Third Ave. in Aledo, Ill.
May 22 from 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at Mercer County Hospital, 409 NW Ninth Ave. in Aledo, Ill.

Whiteside County
May 17 from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Sterling High School, 1608 Fourth Ave. in Sterling, Ill.
May 21 from 1-5:15 p.m. at River Bend Senior Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.
May 21 from 12-6 p.m. at United Methodist Church, 200 W. Lincolnway in Morrison, Ill.

May 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
May 25 from 7-11 a.m. at Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.
May 28 from 1-5:15 p.m. at River Bend Senior Center, 912 Fourth St. in Fulton, Ill.
May 29 from 2-6 p.m. at Rock Falls Blood Donation Center, 112 W. Second St. in Rock Falls, Ill.

The need is constant. The gratification is instant. Give blood.®

How to donate blood
Simply call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org 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 join
our blog at http://blog.redcross.org.

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(Rock Island, IL) -More than 100 volunteers from the Royal Neighbors of America Home Office and area chapters are scheduled to observe JOIN HANDS DAY on Saturday, May 4, by "Growing & Giving Together^SM." The group also will include individuals from local service organizations such as Casa Guanajuato Quad Cities, Girl Scouts, Scott County Family YMCA, United Way, The Friends of Riverside Park Gardens, and the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardeners, to plant a variety of gardens at three sites in the Quad Cities to help teach women to grow healthy, affordable food for their families. Master gardeners will be on site to teach participants how to plant and maintain the gardens. It is estimated that when harvested, the food will feed nearly 100 women and their families.

Planting Vegetable and Herb Gardens; Landscaping

Time: 9:30-10:30 a.m.

Location: Scott County Family YMCA Child Care & Family Services, 724 Harrison

Street, Davenport, IA

Planting Vegetable and Herb Gardens; Caring for Butterfly Garden;

Landscaping; Painting

Time: 9:30 a.m.-noon

Location: Riverside Gardens and Park, 5th Avenue and 34th Street, Moline, IL

Creating Make-and-Take Container Gardens (rain or shine)

Time: 2-3 p.m.

Location: Martin Luther King Center, 630 9th Street, Rock Island, IL

Contacts: Vickie Sedam (563) 320-1137 or Sarah Reemtsma (563) 343-7770

In the event of inclement weather, outdoor gardens will be planted in June; the Make-and-Take Container Garden event will go on as scheduled.

In its 14th year, JOIN HANDS DAY is sponsored by America's fraternal benefit societies such

as Royal Neighbors of America. The day of service provides an opportunity for adults and young people to build relationships through volunteer activities. As partners, adults and youths work together to plan, organize, and implement activities that improve their neighborhoods.

Royal Neighbors of America, one of the nation's largest women-led life insurance companies, exists for the benefit of its members. It offers insurance and annuity products to fulfill financial needs of growth, savings, and protection. Members receive valuable benefits and can participate in volunteer activities through the organization's local chapters to help make a difference in their communities. The organization's philanthropic efforts are dedicated to changing women's lives through its national programs, including the Nation of Neighbors^SM Program, and through the Royal Neighbors Foundation, a 501(c)(3) public charity.

Headquartered in Rock Island, IL, with a branch office in Mesa, AZ, Royal Neighbors serves more than 200,000 members and is licensed to do business in 42 states and the District of Columbia.

For more information about Royal Neighbors of America, call (800) 627-4762, or visit www.royalneighbors.org.

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PORT BYRON, IL - State Rep. Mike Smiddy (D-Hillsdale) is hosting a Senior Citizen Technology workshop in partnership with AT&T on Monday, May 6 at 11:00 am at the UAW Hall located at 630 19th Street (at Moline Drive) in East Moline.

"It can be difficult to keep up with the newest technology, especially for senior citizens," said Smiddy. "This workshop gives seniors an opportunity to learn about how technology can enhance their lives, instead of becoming a barrier."

At this event, which is free and open to the public, senior citizens can learn about using technology in daily life, ranging from cell phones to wireless pacemakers. The workshop is designed for seniors of all levels of technology literacy and awareness. Attendees may also bring their own devices to receive one-on-one assistance.

"In our increasingly high-tech world, embracing technology increases opportunities for seniors from staying in touch with friends and family to managing their finances," Smiddy said. "I encourage all local seniors to attend this workshop and learn practical ways to incorporate technology in their lives."

For more information or to RSVP, contact Smiddy's constituent services office at RepSmiddy@gmail.com, (309) 848-9098, or toll-free at (855) 243-4988.

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