Volunteer needed
The Siloam Springs Senior Activity & Wellness Center needs two Meals on Wheels volunteers -- one to deliver every Wednesday and one every other Thursday. Both are local routes that take about an hour to complete. Please call 479-524-5735 for details.
SSRH Blood Drive
Siloam Springs Regional Hospital (SSRH) will host a blood drive in memory of Cody Pickering from 12-5 p.m. Friday, July 15 in the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks (CBCO) Bloodmobile at the hospital's parking lot – 603 N. Progress Ave. in Siloam Springs.
CBCO, the sole supplier of blood and plasma to patients at more than 40 area hospitals including NMCS, is issuing a critical appeal for all blood types. CBCO is strongly urging eligible donors to give immediately.
Walk-ins are always welcome, but appointments are strongly encouraged to help manage donor flow. Donors may schedule an appointment by visiting https://bit.ly/3OpYrbc.
To be eligible to give blood, you must weigh at least 110 pounds, be in good health and present a valid photo ID. Before the blood drive, donors are asked to take a few steps to ensure that donations operate smoothly on the day of the drive:
1. Drink plenty of water or juice the night and morning before you donate.
2. Eat a well-balanced meal around 2-3 hours before giving.
3. Bring your photo identification: This is now required for all donors.
For more information, call (800) 280-5337 or visit www.cbco.org.
Summer Writers Conference
The Siloam Springs Writers Guild will host its fourth Summer Writers Conference from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. July 23 at First Baptist Church, 2000 Dawn Hill Road.
The theme of the conference is "Making Peace with Marketing.
The keynote speaker will be RJ Thesman, an author, writing coach, editor and speaker. Author Kent Wyatt also will be a speaker.
Because of the Writers Conference, SSWG will not hold its regular July meeting.
July writing assignments are to be emailed to [email protected] by July 1. The July topics are: Prose -- "Lesson From My Heritage," and Poetry -- Patriotic poem any style.
August writing assignments to be emailed between July 20 and August 1 are: Prose -- A Daily Devotional (to 300 words), and Poetry -- Limericks (set of 3).
Boys & Girls Club snack program
The Boys & Girls Club of Western Benton County will be offering a snack to children during its summer program at the Siloam Springs unit, located at 655 Heritage Court.
Children do not have to be enrolled in the summer program to participate in the snack program.
The club's second session will be July 11 to Aug. 5.
The snack will be served from 3-4 p.m.
The club will be closed from July 4-8.
For questions about the summer food program or summer program, contact the club at 479-524-4174.
Manna Center
The Manna Center operates a thrift store that is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Proceeds from sales of donated items help fund the pantry. Clients are able to shop on vouchers at no cost. Donations of household items, small appliances and gently used clothing are accepted during business hours.
The emergency food pantry is open from 9 a.m to 11:30 a.m Currently mobile outreach programs include small communities around Northwest Arkansas and Northeast Oklahoma in addition to the main campus at 670. Heritage Court Siloam Springs.
Volunteers are always welcome in both the pantry and thrift store. To volunteer or for more information contact Marla or Laura at 479-524-9825.
Senior Activity Center
The Siloam Senior Activity Center has a game room with two pool tables, a shuffleboard table and other game tables. If you are interested in dominoes or cards, call and get your name on the list and the Senior Center will arrange play times. The Senior Center also does monthly field trips, group shopping trips and going out to eat for ages 60 and older. A lunch menu and activities calendar can be found on the center's Facebook page -- search Siloam Springs Activity and Wellness Center. For more information, call 479-524-5735.
Master Naturalists accepting applications
The Northwest Arkansas chapter of Arkansas Master Naturalists is accepting applications for upcoming training. Training for 2021 will occur via Zoom, with approximately 50 hours of virtual lectures and interpreted hike videos. Trainees have a choice of attending either Saturday morning or Wednesday evening classes, each lasting three to four hours. Some small group, socially distanced field time is also planned. For more information, visit nwamn.org.
American Legion Bingo
Each Monday night, except for the first Monday of each month, there is American Legion Bingo at the American Legion Community Hall (Community Building) in downtown Siloam Springs. Doors open at 5 p.m. and early bird games start at 5:30 p.m., followed by regular games at 6:30 p.m. Participants must be 18 years old to play for money, but young families are welcome. Game prices are very reasonable and the chances to win are great. There are various prizes that tickets can be purchased for, including raffles and 50/50 drawings. The Ladies Auxiliary offers concession items for sale. Covid protocols are in place.
Bookstore at the Library
Bookstore at the Library currently has a selection of texts and other materials of interest to home-schoolers along with a large number of very nice Children's books. The store is open from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday through Friday; and 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. Saturday. The bookstore features quality books in all genres, CDs and DVDs, most priced under $2. Donations of books and DVD's in good condition are always needed and welcomed.
Friends of the Library, which operates the bookstore, seeks and welcomes new members who desire to join their organization and further its mission by volunteering or fundraising. Information about membership is available at the library.
Tornado Siren Testing
The city of Siloam Springs has changed the testing day for the outdoor warning system to 1 p.m. on the first Monday of the month. In the past, testing has taken place on Friday. First Monday testing will give city staff time to make repairs immediately if they are needed. Should cloudy weather, rain or other inclement weather occur on a test day, testing will be delayed one day, until completed.
SSRH Auxiliary volunteer drive
Siloam Springs Regional Hospital Auxiliary is looking for willing volunteers for the information desk, obstetrics department, radiology department, surgery department and materials management. The Auxiliary offers an opportunity to help the community while working three or four hours a week. Stop by the front desk of the hospital for an application or call Donna Conger for more information at 479-373-6428.
Fire Department feedback
The Siloam Springs Fire Department offers an Emergency Medical Services Customer Survey that will allow individuals who have been treated by a city ambulance to provide honest and confidential feedback about their experience. Customers can provide valuable insight and feedback into the Fire Department's performance.
"Our goal is to constantly strive to improve the quality of the services that we provide to the citizens," said Siloam Springs Fire Department Chief Jeremey Criner. "The feedback that we receive will be an integral part of our quality improvement program."
If you've had any interaction with the city's EMS crews, please take a few minutes to fill out the EMS Customer Survey located on the Fire Department page of the City's website, www.siloamsprings.com/199/Fire.
Dogwood Literacy Council
It is rewarding to be able to assist those trying to improve their literacy skills in order to help their families. The Dogwood Literacy Council is in need of more volunteers who would like to become a tutor. Training and materials will be provided. For more information, contact Charlie at 479-524-4009.
Make your home safe and accessible
Kind at Heart Ministries is offering help to make homes "safe and accessible" with ramps, widening doors and building handrails. Financial assistance may be available. For more information, contact 479-373-6281 between the hours of 1 and 5 p.m. or email [email protected].
Manna Center Thrift Store
The Manna Center Thrift Store is now accepting credit and debit cards for purchases of $10 or more to make it easier for customers to shop. The store is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday. Customers can like the thrift store on Facebook or stop by and see what the dollar item is for the week. Anything over a month old is half price. The Manna Center is located at 670 Heritage Court, behind the Senior Activity and Wellness Center on Tulsa Street.
Tailwaggers seeks volunteers, donations
Tailwaggers is seeking volunteers to walk dogs and socialize cats at the city animal shelter. They are also in need of donations of chewies, rawhides, cat toys and dog harnesses for the animal shelter. Donations can be dropped off at the animal shelter located at 1300 E. Ashley St. Call 238-3612 for more information.