Blood drive Thursday in Gravel Switch

During Childhood Cancer Awareness Month this September, the American Red Cross encourages eligible donors to give blood to support kids, teens and young adults battling cancer, as well as others in need of transfusions.

Community members are invited to the upcoming blood drive  from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 13, at the Gravel Switch Community Center, 640 Gravel Switch Road, Gravel Switch.

According to the National Cancer Institute, more than 15,000 children and adolescents in the

U.S. are diagnosed with cancer each year. Childhood cancer patients may need blood products on a regular basis during chemotherapy, surgery or treatment for complications.

Blood and platelet donors of all blood types, especially type O negative and O positive, are urgently needed to replenish the blood supply following a critical summer blood shortage. As a thank-you, those who come to give blood or platelets Aug. 31-Sept. 4 will receive a Red Cross aluminum water bottle, while supplies last. Make an appointment to donate by downloading the free American

Bate High School football team to be honored at game

The Danville High School football team and athletic department will recognize the Bate High School football team and cheerleaders during during halftime at Friday night’s home game against Waggener from Louisville. Bate High School Alumni Association will also be sponsoring the performance of the Kentucky State University Marching Band during the halftime show. The game starts at 7:30 p.m.

Non-profit ministry seeks volunteers for cake-making program

HARRODSBURG  —  Sweet Blessings, a non-profit ministry creating specialty birthday cakes for children who are living in poverty, facing a life-threatening illness or with special needs, is asking for volunteers to help with their “September Slam.

Volunteers who would like to help for a couple of hours on Thursdays — from noon until when the last cake is finished and boxed up for delivery — can help make cakes for children ages 4-17 in Mercer and surrounding counties.

All of the cakes are made by volunteers — they are needed to bake, frost and decorate, as well as wash dishes and help clean up. Other needs are organizing supplies and ingredients, boxing up cakes, delivering them and spreading the word on social media.

For more information or to volunteer, email Ashley Gann at ashley@sweetblessingscakes.org

A Clean Slate: Expungement clinic coming to Casey

LIBERTY — Individuals convicted of certain charges have the option of getting their criminal record expunged, but the process can be daunting for some.

To make the process more understandable, a free expungement workshop will be held from 5-7 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 20 at Casey County Community and Education Center, located at 1 Pettyjohn Street in Liberty. Participants will learn what offenses are eligible for expungement under Kentucky law.

“There will also be additional resources available to participants that are not eligible for expungement,” said Senate Pro Tempore Jimmy Higdon, R-Lebanon, a longtime supporter of expanding expungement eligibility. “The goal is to get people with criminal records back to work and reintegrated into society.”

Higdon said he has planned the event along with Rep. Daniel Elliott, R-Danville.

There will also be information on how to get a GED diploma, training programs, getting help for a disability, restoration of voting rights and how to obtain free copies of one’s criminal record. Participants can also meet with lawyers volunteering their time, representatives of companies who hire individuals with a record and career counselors.

The event partners are the Kentucky Division of Reentry Services, Cumberlands Workforce Development Board, Kentucky Career Center-Liberty, Casey County Adult Education, Vocational Rehabilitation, Office of Education and Training, and Adanta.

For more information on expungement, visit www.cleanslatekentucky.com.