St. Stephen changes date for extravaganza
The City of St. Stephen Winter Extravaganza date has been changed to Sunday, Dec. 11. Santa and Mrs. Claus will visit with children from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Please note the change in date and mark you calendar.
Red Cross needs blood donations to help ensure a sufficient supply throughout the holidays
This November, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give the perfect gift – a blood donation – to help ensure a sufficient blood supply throughout the holiday season. A decline in donations occurs from Thanksgiving to New Year’s Day when donors are busy with family gatherings and travel. However, patients don’t get a holiday break from needing lifesaving transfusions. In fact, every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood.
Timothy Sheely’s wife received 12 units of blood products during emergency surgery after the birth of their son.
“If it had not been for blood donors, she may not have survived that ordeal,” Sheely said, “but thanks to generous blood donors, I still have a wife and my kids still have their Mom.
“I can’t possibly thank those people in person, but I can give a little piece of me back with each donation for the greater good. Thanks to those who are able to donate and choose to donate!”
The Red Cross encourages donors to start a new holiday tradition and bring family and friends together to donate blood or platelets. Donors of all blood types are needed to give this November to help ensure a sufficient supply for hospital patients. As a thank you for donating around the Thanksgiving holiday, all those who come to donate Nov. 24-28 will be invited to download a set of recipes from celebrity chefs.
To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767). Donors are encouraged to make appointments and complete the RapidPass online health history questionnaire at redcrossblood.org/rapidpass to save time when donating.
Heartland Hospice looking for clerical volunteer
Heartland Hospice in Sauk Rapids is looking for a clerical volunteer to assist with office duties. Clerical volunteers would perform the following tasks: filing, answering phones, assembling packets and binders, and faxing and stuffing envelopes for mass mailings. Volunteer classes are available to fit each person’s schedule. Please call Keshia Kettler at Heartland Hospice at 320-654-1136 for further information.
St. Cloud Hospital lights up Dec. 1
The 28th annual Festival of Lights is from 6-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1 in front of St. Cloud Hospital, 1406 Sixth Ave. N. The event is free and open to the public. Attendees are encouraged to bring non-perishable food items to donate to the food shelf. In addition to the traditional holiday lighting ceremony at 7 p.m., there will be horse-drawn trolley rides, reindeer, holiday carols by the Tech High School Chamber Choir, a living nativity presented by Messiah Lutheran Church of Sartell, visits with Santa and Mrs. Claus, as well as cookies and cocoa. The Gorecki Guest House, across the street from the hospital, will also light up thanks to Emerald Cos. Inc.
Stop by the St. Cloud Hospital Gift Gallery for its annual holiday sale from 7 a.m.-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 1 and 7 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, Dec. 2. Merchandise will be 20 percent off storewide; some exclusions apply.
Citizens of Sartell may take annual performance survey
Through Saturday, Nov. 19, citizens of Sartell are able to participate in a performance measures survey which was developed by the Sartell City Council on Local Results and Innovation created by the 2010 Legislature. The purpose of the performance measures survey is to aid elected officials in determining the efficiency of city services and measuring residents’ opinions of those services. Participation in the survey is voluntary and anonymous. The more people who choose to participate in the survey, the more valid the results will be. So encourage your Sartell friends, neighbors and business owners to participate in the survey in helping to guide the city’s decision making on service priorities.
The survey contains 10 questions and will take just a few minutes to complete. In order to participate in the survey, you must be a resident or business owner in Sartell. Participation is limited to one survey per resident or business.
The link to the survey is https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/2016_Sartell. The link will also be provided on the city’s website at www.sartellmn.com. Paper versions of the survey are available at City Hall.
School district announces procedures for closings, delays
Sartell-St. Stephen, Sauk Rapids-Rice and St. Cloud Area School Districts will continue to work with one another once again this winter on weather-related emergencies. In a renewed effort to gather accurate weather information, the school districts will continue to rely on the expertise of the National Weather Service and St. Cloud State University meteorologists for weather forecasts and both city and county officials for information related to road conditions. Professors at SCSU localize forecasts and advise the school districts on closing decisions.
Minnesota weather is sometimes difficult to predict; it’s essential parents/guardians anticipate and prepare for school closings, delayed openings and early dismissals. The three metro area public school districts and parochial school systems follow a coordinated plan to better ensure the safety of our children. The National Weather Service and other forecasting agencies issue various winter weather statements, watches and warnings. These statements are coupled with the information provided by SCSU to determine if weather conditions may cause a late start, full-day cancellation or an early dismissal from school.
Heavy snowfall, ice storms, extreme cold and strong winds are not the only contributors to an emergency situation. Fog can be equally dangerous. While the sun may be shining in one area, visibility may be reduced to a few feet in another location, creating a potential hazard.
Safe students/informed parents
In any weather emergency, the main objective is to provide protection and a safe environment for students. Sartell-St. Stephen, Sauk Rapids-Rice and the St. Cloud Area School District will use a coordinated, weather-related emergency closing plan again this year. This means public and parochial schools in all three districts will close (or remain open) according to the same winter emergency schedule. Radio stations and news services will be contacted on behalf of each district, but area residents should recognize the three districts are working together on these weather-related decisions.
Emergency closing procedures
- The three superintendents will make every effort to announce a school closing or late start by 10 p.m. the night before severe weather and/or as soon as information becomes available.
- When a morning emergency closing or a late start is required, every effort will be made to make and communicate a decision by 5:30 a.m.
- In the event of an early dismissal or a school closing, student activities and practices, including KIDSTOP, Community Education classes, Early Childhood classes and Adult Basic Education classes are canceled.
In addition to radio and television outlets, weather alerts are announced via Skylert – the district’s text, email and call out service, posted on the school-district website, Facebook page, Twitter and the Newsleaders and St. Cloud Times websites at thenewsleaders.com and sctimes.com.
Winter weather and emergency situations are not predictable, and they may happen at any time. The purpose of the weather-related closing plan is to assist parents/guardians and students to be better prepared to deal with emergency situations and reduce their effects. Parents are encouraged to prepare for emergency closings. Special childcare arrangements should be made which could be used in the event of a late start, early release or a school closing. Ultimately, the parent/guardian should make the final decision whether a child should attend school during severe weather.
Big Brothers, Sisters seeks mentoring friends
Make a new friend by mentoring a child in the child’s school. It’s simple. All you need to do is be a friend to a child for one hour per week. You can play games, hang out in the gym, go to the library or the computer lab. Every week you will meet in the child’s school at a time that works for both you and the child. By meeting at the child’s school, you are not expected to be a tutor but simply be a listening, supportive friend to a child who needs someone in his or her life. This type of match relationship is designed as a one-year commitment with nine months of that commitment being in person. Throughout the summer months contact with your Little Brother or Sister can be done over the phone, through email or by writing letters. This relationship can later be extended into the traditional Big Brothers Big Sisters community-based relationship if you wish. Contact Rachel Johnson, Big Brothers Big Sisters at 320-258-4537.
You and your dog can now volunteer at CentraCare
Does your dog love getting attention and giving affection? CentraCare Health needs Animal-Assisted Therapy volunteers to visit Hospice patients in their home or patients at CentraCare Health Plaza or St. Cloud Hospital. AAT visits have been shown to reduce anxiety, reduce pain, improve deep breathing and improve emotional and mental well-being. Contact Volunteer Office at 320-255-5638 or volunteer@centracare.com.
