Helpful events headline Saturday slate

By By Penny Randall / staff writer
June 4, 2004
The local community is gathering together this weekend to help those in need troops in Iraq, people affected by cancer, an area church and United Blood Services.
First up is a yard sale on Saturday from 7 a.m.-1 p.m. at the West Branch of Trustmark Bank on Highway 11 South in College Park.
The sale is being organized by Theresa McKee, whose husband, Supply Sgt. Sam McKee, has been in Iraq since January with the 185th Army National Guard. All proceeds from the sale will be used to purchase personal items for the unit and for postage to ship the items.
Other Saturday fundraisers include:
Relay for Life team
From 7 a.m.-11 a.m., Poplar Springs Drive United Methodist Church at 3937 Poplar Springs Drive will host a garage sale. All proceeds will benefit Relay for Life the 10th annual event sponsored by the American Cancer Society to raise money for cancer research.
About 15 church families will donate items for the sale.
Church mortgage payoff
Another local church-sponsored event will begin later in the morning on Saturday at NorthPark Church on Highway 39 North. The church will host a bazaar from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. to raise money to pay off the church's mortgage.
Activities include a car wash and an arts and crafts sale. Other items for sale include artwork, ceramics, daylilies, pottery, frozen foods and jewelry.
Hamburger plates and homemade ice cream will also be sold. There also will be games for children, an hands-on art area, a flea market section and dunking booth. Admission is free.
Blood drive
A Saturday afternoon blood drive sponsored by the United Blood Services will be held at Outback Steakhouse from 3 p.m.-7 p.m. in the Bloodmobile.
Morris encourages anyone to donate at the United Blood Services offices at 1115 25th Ave. Monday through Thursday from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Call 482-2482 for an appointment or for more information.