Northwest Florida Blood Center Blood drives: Wednesday, July 28 Parthenon Healthcare, 1847 E. First Street, Crestview 8:30 am to 11:30 pm. First Baptist Church Niceville, 3:30 am to 8 pm. Thursday, July 29 Northwest Florida State College, South Walton county- SRB, 10 am to 3 pm.  Free Movie Ticket for Every donor. Friday, July 30 Crane Electronics, 84 Hill Avenue, FWB, 11 am to 3 pm. First National Bank in Crestview, 1 pm to 5 pm. Saturday, July 31 Not Child without Health Care Fair, 502 Mc Donald Street, Crestview. 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.

Check the website at www.nfbcblood.org for local blood drive information. If you have any questions, please call 862-4216. In order to donate blood you need to be a volunteer who is 17 years of age or older who is in general good health, weighs at least 110 pounds, and has a photo ID. There is no upper age limit. You do not need to know your blood type to donate, but once you donate you will be sent a card showing what it is. Be sure to try to eat a substantial meal before donating and drink plenty of fluids!

MULTI-DATED JULY CALENDAR ITEMS

• Walton County School District Summer Schedule- During the summer break, Walton County School District will operate on a four-day work week schedule with offices and schools closed on Friday beginning Monday, June 14, 2010 through Friday, July 30, 2010. Summer Pre-K programs will operate as announced. During the summer schedule, schools and offices will be open to the public Monday through Thursday 7:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The regular work schedule will resume beginning Monday, August 2, 2010.
• BP Claims Center- A BP claims center has been established in Santa Rosa Beach at 5008 US Hwy 98 W. in the Santa Rosa Village Shopping Center. The office is open 7 days a week from 8 am-7 pm. Walk-ins are welcomed. BP asks that calls be made to the claims hotline in advance at 1-800-440-0858 to expedite the process.
• Walton County Pre-K Openings- Walton County School District’s Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten for children age four by September 1, 2010, has openings at Freeport Elementary, Maude Saunders Elementary, and the WISE Pre-Kindergarten Center in DeFuniak Springs. Classes begin August 16th with limited spaces available. Contact Cindy Wade at 892-1100 ext. 5252 for more information. In order for your child to be eligible for VPK services you must provide an official birth certificate or other approved documents that verify your child will be four (4) years old on or before September 1, 2010. Proof of Florida residency is also required.

DATED JULY CALENDAR ITEMS

Thursday, July 29

• Northwest Florida Blood Center Blood Drive- Northwest Florida State College South Walton Center. 10 am-3 pm. Every donor will receive a free movie ticket. 

Friday, July 30

• Christmas in July- 10 am-2 pm. Chautauqua Hall of Brotherhood in DFS. Sponsored by the DeFuniak Springs Area Council. Participate by purchasing a new toy and bringing it to this fun filled event. Your toy donation will grant you event entry, a photo with a suntanned Santa and inclusion in holiday inspired games and activities. Lunch is free of charge, however donations will be accepted and appreciated. Toys collected during the event will be given to the Walton County Sheriff department's Toy Drive and stuffed toys will be donated to the DeFuniak Springs Police Department. If you are interested in learning more about this event, please contact Bridget Ragan at 850-892-3191 or email Bridget@waltonareachamber.com.
• Steak Dinner- Thriftway Supermarket. 11 am-5:30 pm. A fundraiser for Pleasant Valley Baptist Church. $9 per plate for steak, potato salad, green beans, dessert, and roll. Whole smoked Boston Butts will also be for sale for $25 each. Free delivery of 5 or more plates. Order ahead of time, 830-0079 or 830-5311. 

Saturday, July 31

• Concert Benefit- Walton County Fairgrounds. 12 pm-7 pm. Proceeds benefit Wanda Anne "Wilson" Mitchem. Live bands, dunking booth, children's activities, concession stands, and more. Help in the fight against cancer. Tons of fun for a great cause. Event is free but donations will be accepted.  For more information regarding the event or to assist the Mitchem family, please contact event organizer Katie Thompson at (850) 612-2904.
• Miss Heart of America Pageant- WISE Center (Old Walton High School). 11:30 registration. The pageant begins at 1 pm. Pageant is free to the public. Participants can register by calling Carol at 859-2742. Part of the entrance fee is several non-perishable food items. All food collected will go to the Shelter House of Northwest Florida. Mention WZEP when you register for a fee discount. For more information, go to www.missheartofamerica.com/northwaltoncounty.
• No Child Without Health Care Fair- Mt. Zion A. M. E. Church in Crestview. 10 am-2 pm. This event will provide free health screenings for possible medical problems in children in families who do not have the resources for routine visits to a medical doctor. For more information, call Bazine McDonald at 850-803-1569 or email bworthy@cox.net.
• Special Olympics Wrestling Benefit- Old Armory in DFS. Doors open at 7 pm. Belltime is at 7:30 pm. Admission is $6 for adults. Kids 6 and under are free. All your SPW Wrestling favorites. Please come out and support Special Olympics.

School Supply Program- First United Methodist Church of DFS. Families needing help with Back to School items can pick up applications at the First United Methodist Church Monday-Friday from 8 am-noon and 1 pm-3 pm. The deadline to receive applications is noon on Tuesday, August 3rd. These supplies are free, but you must complete an application to receive them. Families can pick up the school supplies on Friday, August 6th from 3 pm until 6:30 pm or on Saturday, August 7th from 9 am-noon in the fellowship hall of the church. For more information, contact Nancy at 859-2395. This program is a mission outreach of the United Methodist Women.

LIFE ENRICHMENT SENIOR CENTER CALENDAR, (LESC)

Life Enrichment Senior Center, 312 College Avenue, DeFuniak Springs 892-8746  

Regular LESC Events

• Every Monday, bridge from 12 to 4pm.

• Every Tuesday, play dominoes from 10am to 2pm. 

• Every Wednesday, come play Canasta at 11am.

• Play Bingo every Tuesday at 1pm

• Every Monday at 1pm a grief support group at 1pm.

• Water aerobics, 9am, Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. 

• Social Security, 2nd and 4th Wednesdays, 9-12

• Movie Day is Mondays, 2pm

• Creative Writing class, Wednesday at 2pm

Dated LESC Events

COLLEGE PROGRAMS/SCHOOL REGISTRATION NEWS