Taste of St. Cloud to be held May 4
The Franciscan Community Volunteers, a ministry of the Franciscan Sisters of Little Falls, invites the public to attend their fundraiser, the sixth annual Taste of St. Cloud from 4:30-7:30 p.m. Monday, May 4 at the Territory Golf Course’s Coyote Moon Grill, 480 55th Ave. SE, St. Cloud. Guests will enjoy an array of delicious cuisines from 16 local restaurants. There will be live entertainment and a silent auction. For more information, head to fcvonline.org or fslf.org, or contact Pat Schlauderaff at 320-229-0307 or pschlauderaff@fslf.org.
Kennedy hosts walkathon May 29
‘We ride for Cody’ set for May 9
Cody Nuckolls, St. Joseph, was killed in a hit-and-run April 13. Cody was 5 years old. His family, including older sister Hanna, mother Lorraine, and his father Ryan need support. A group is organizing a fundraising motorcycle and car ride from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, May 9. The ride will go from Stoney’s Bar in Rockville, to Trappers Pub and Grub in Farming, then to Shady’s Bar and Grill in New Munich, to Countryside Saloon in St. Anna, and finally ending at Trobec’s Bar and Grill in St. Stephen. Cody’s favorite color is red, so wear red to show support and love for Cody. All money raised from this event goes to the Nuckolls family.
SFX youth group to collect food shelf items
Students in the St. Francis Xavier Confirmation class will canvas Sartell neighborhoods from 6:15-7:30 p.m. Sunday, May 3 to collect non-perishable food items for the local food shelf. This is the time of year shelves are becoming depleted from the Christmas months and food shelves are trying to stock up for their busiest time of year – the summer months. Kid-friendly food items are in high demand. If you are interested in donating and don’t get a visit, items can be dropped off in the parish office by 5 p.m. Monday, May 4. Any questions, contact Jake Schwendinger, at 320-252-8761, ext. 1411.
Free skin cancer screening set May 4, 5 at CentraCare
A limited number of free skin cancer screenings by board-certified dermatologists will be offered Monday, May 4 and Tuesday, May 5 at CentraCare Clinic Health Plaza, 1900 CentraCare Circle. Interested participants must call 320-229-4924 for an appointment time. No walk-ins will be accepted.
This CentraCare Clinic screening coincides with National Melanoma/Skin Cancer Detection and Prevention Month, sponsored by the American Academy of Dermatology and CentraCare Clinic.
The Academy’s national detection and prevention program is being launched May 4, which has been designated “Melanoma Monday,” to raise awareness of malignant melanoma and urge Americans to regularly examine their skin for signs of serious forms of skin cancer.
Skin self-examinations consist of periodically looking over your body for any changes in the size, color, shape or texture of a mole, the development of a new mole or any other unusual changes in the skin. Any of these signs should be reported to your doctor right away.
“With melanoma, early detection is the key. Patients can watch their skin, and if there are visible changes they should be checked by their health care provider,” said Christina Anderson, M.D., dermatologist with CentraCare Clinic.
Eating Disorders support group forms
Red Cross launches emergency app
The American Red Cross recently announced the release of its new emergency app which gives people instant access to weather alerts, life-saving information and ways to contact family and friends in one free, easy-to-use app for mobile devices. This all-inclusive app provides expert advice on what to do in case of disasters such as floods, tornadoes, home fires, wildfires and more. It covers 14 different types of disasters and lets users customize more than 35 emergency alerts so they will know what to do no matter where they live or travel. The free emergency app is available in app stores for smartphones and tablets by searching for the American Red Cross or by going to redcross.org/apps.
“When an emergency occurs, it’s important for families to stay safe and connected,” said Phil Hansen, CEO of the American Red Cross Minnesota Region. “Since April 1, 2015, we have responded to more than 30 disasters across the state, mostly home fires, helping more than 70 families. The emergency app helps families prepare for and recover from home fires and other disasters.”
“Family Safe” is a new, unique feature that allows the app user to notify loved ones who are in an area affected by an emergency or disaster. The recipient can instantly see the alert details as well as specific “what to do now” steps, and then respond with either “I’m safe” or “I’m not safe.” This feature works even if the recipient has not downloaded the emergency app.
The emergency app has many features, including the following:
- Emergency first-aid information for situations such as heart attacks, heat-related emergencies as well as water-safety information;
- Preloaded content so users can access guidance from Red Cross experts even without mobile connectivity;
- A single map with open Red Cross shelter locations and weather information;
- A home-fire section with detailed prevention and safety tips as well as Red Cross “After the Fire” information;
- A “Make a Plan” feature to help families plan what to do and where to go if a disaster strikes; and
- The ability to easily toggle between English and Spanish.
In addition to smartphones and tablets, this feature will be available on the new Apple Watch and can now be downloaded from the Apple Watch App Store.
Red Cross apps have been downloaded more than six million times and nearly 400 million alerts have been sent since the launch of the first app in 2012. In the past year alone, more than 350 million pages were viewed and the “I’m Safe” feature was accessed just more than 550,000 times across all preparedness apps.
While apps can help prepare someone for disasters, it’s important to note they are not substitutes for training. People can take Red Cross First Aid and CPR/AED courses so they’ll know what to do in case help is delayed. They can get information and register at redcross.org/TakeAClass.
United Way Volunteer Opportunities
Wacosa seeks wellness specialist
Assist the staff members in teaching Wacosa’s clients creative and stimulation workouts of varying ability levels as well as healthy eating skills. These include activities and classes such as aerobics, yoga, walking, meditation, making smoothies and healthy choices while eating. This volunteer position is available, Monday through Friday, at various times, depending on class schedules at 320 Sundial Drive, Wait Park. Morning and afternoon opportunities are available to fit your schedule. Contact Andrea Harrell, Wacosa volunteer coordinator, at 320-251-0087 Ext. 227 or aharrell@wacosa.org.
CentraCare seeks home-delivered meals assistant
Volunteers are needed to help push carts filled with pre-packaged meals that need to be picked up by the Home Delivered Meals driver volunteers. Volunteers are needed 9:30-1:30 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday. Contact St. Cloud Hospital Volunteer Services at 320-255-5638.
Somali translation assistant
RESOURCE is currently hosting a training called Skills for Success, and many of the students are Somali. Volunteers are needed to help with translation to assist learners with their success. Classes are held weekday mornings from 9 a.m. to noon. Training is already underway and goes until mid-June. Contact Samantha Sleeman, RESOURCE volunteer program manager, at 612-752-8030.
Donate your furniture
The Community Furniture Program is now accepting donations of gently used items such as: kitchen/dining tables, dressers and couches/loveseats. Contact Community Furniture Program at 320-656-9004 or cfp@cmnrp.org.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way Volunteer Engagement Coordinator at (320) 223-7991 or mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org.
