American Red Cross of Ventura County

During Red Cross Month in March, the American Red Cross invites individuals to become everyday heroes by giving blood.

March has been recognized as Red Cross Month by every U.S. president since 1943. Red Cross Month is a celebration of supporters who are the face of the Red Cross in their communities, helping to prepare for and bringing help and hope after emergencies.

For more than 30 years, blood donor Sherri Kay has been helping the Red Cross fulfill its lifesaving mission. “Knowing that I help to save lives and make a difference through the Red Cross is one of the most significant things that I do,” she said.

Heroes of all blood types are needed to ensure a sufficient blood supply this spring. The Red Cross must collect approximately 14,000 blood and platelet donations every day for patients.

Make an appointment to donate blood by downloading the free Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting redcrossblood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

Oxnard
3/23/2016: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Oxnard High School, 3400 W Gonzales Rd

Simi Valley
3/19/2016: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Rancho Santa Suzanna Community Center, 5005-C Los Angeles Ave
3/22/2016: 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., Simi Valley Hospital Adventist Health, 2975 N Sycamore Drive
3/24/2016: 8:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m., Apollo High School, 3150 School Street

Thousand Oaks
3/16/2016: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
3/23/2016: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
3/28/2016: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd
3/30/2016: 1 p.m. - 7 p.m., Thousand Oaks Inn, 75 W Thousand Oaks Blvd

Ventura
3/17/2016: 8:15 a.m. - 2:15 p.m., Ventura High School, 2 North Catalina
3/29/2016: 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Ventura College, 4667 Telegraph Road

Westlake Village
3/30/2016: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Guitar Center Corporate Center, 5795 Lindero Canyon Rd.

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.

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive. To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

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 cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

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On Saturday March 5th, Flashes Soccer defeated Saddleback Valley Christian 5-1 to become CIF Champions. Measuring one of the largest crowds attending the all-day finals tournament, approximately 1,000 Fillmore Soccer fans made the trip to Warren High School in Downey California for the 9:30am match start and witnessed their Flashes become CIF Southern Section Division 7 Champions and improve their season record to 20-3-3.

Upon returning home to Fillmore after the match, the team was met by the Fillmore Fire Department, loaded on top of one of the department’s largest vehicles, and given a parade through Fillmore.

This Tuesday March 8th, 4pm at the Fillmore High Football Field, Flashes soccer takes on Sun Valley High in the first round of the 2016 Southern California Regional Division 5 Championships. The Fillmore High Alumni Association will hold a fundraiser at the game by accepting donations in exchange for Flashes gear including hats, t-shirts, hoodies, scarfs, beanies and coffee mugs. More information about the Alumni Association available at www.fillmorehighalumni.com

Officials are expecting a capacity crowd at Flashes Field. Tickets available game day only at Flashes Field (Fillmore High Football Field) Box Office. Ticket booth and gate open at 4pm. General Admission $9.00, Children (5 years and up)/Students (ASB card)/Seniors $5.00. For more information contact Fillmore High School at (805) 524-6100. [Editorial note: Go Flashes!]

Video courtesy Greg DeJarnette

Safe Kids Ventura County in collaboration with Fillmore Rotary, Fillmore Fire Department and First 5 SCV NfL are offering every 4th Thursday of every month appointments to come in and have your car seats checked and education on how to properly install your car seat. To get more information please email Irma Magana: Notaryirma@hotmail.com or you may call Safe Kids Appointment Line directly at (805) 973-7501.

The Fillmore Police Department and the Fillmore Unified School District are proud to announce the creation of the “Public Service Club” on the Fillmore Middle School Campus. Students in 7th and 8th grade may join the club that meets every Wednesday during their lunch hour.

The club was created through a cooperative effort with the Fillmore Police Department, the Sheriff’s Explorer program, and the Fillmore Unified School District to mentor younger students and develop leadership, personal and community accountability, discipline, organization, time management, and written and verbal communication skills.

Guess speakers and mentors will attend the lunch time meetings and provide topics of interest that the club members would then put into practice. This program was developed to mentor and support students and their education in the same manner as the Fillmore Explorer Post. The Post has an age range of 14 to 21. This program will allow younger students to begin to experience the pride and responsibility that is developed through these community outreach programs.

7th and 8th grade students who have a 2.5 GPA or higher and are students in good academic standing on the Fillmore Middle school campus may participate by filling out a form that is available in the school office and submitting it to Counselor Nadia Lucero or Office Clerk, Ms. Isela Larin.

Prepared by: Captain Dave Wareham

Presley McLain, 9 years old, holds a check in the amount of $3,038 which she raised for the ACS.

Presley McLain was invited to speak at the Ventura County Community Leadership Council on Wednesday, February 10 at Community Memorial Hospital. The council consists of individuals who help initiate programs and provide services for cancer patients.

For Presley's 9th birthday she decided that instead of birthday presents she would like people to donate to the American Cancer Society. Her Grandpa Hank died from cancer and her Grandma Lou and Aunt Jana are cancer survivors, so the cause has a special place in her heart.

She spoke on why she chose to forgo birthday presents and collect donations instead. She said she has learned how much the American Cancer Society helps people and she just really wanted to help people.

Presley collected and presented a check to the American Cancer Society for $3038.

She is the daughter of Bobby and Lori McLain and is a 3rd grader at San Cayetano Elementary School.