Briefs: Red Cross seeking blood donors ahead of hectic holidays

Several blood drives scheduled in Richland County

As more people make travel plans to celebrate with family and friends this year, the American Red Cross asks donors to set aside a time to give blood or platelets for patients waiting for care over the holidays.

There are 11 opportunities remaining this month to donate blood in Richland County. They include blood drives scheduled in Mansfield, Shelby and Shiloh on Wednesday. There will be two blood drives in Mansfield and one in Bellville next week and four in Mansfield Dec. 27-31.

Schedule an appointment by using the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org or calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

Those who come to give Dec. 16 to Jan. 2 will get a long-sleeved Red Cross T-shirt, while supplies last.

Citizen to Patriot monthly forum to be held Thursday

GALION — From Citizen to Patriot (FCTP) will hold its next free monthly forum at 6:30 p.m. Thursday at Galion Grace Point Life Activity Center, 683 Portland Way North. The forum, "Christmas in America," will feature Steve Feazel, a retired ordained minister, speaker, and author of over five conservative books. There will also be live music, food, patriotic trivia and more.

For more information, contact Carol at 419-468-2944 or Greg at 419-468-4679.

New partnership to provide COVID-19 testing assistance for Ohioans who are blind or have low vision

COLUMBUS — At-home COVID-19 tests have become the standard method of testing; however, individuals who are blind or have low vision face challenges self-administering these tests. The Ohio Department of Health and Opportunities for Ohioans with Disabilities have partnered to identify a solution to support Ohioans who are blind or have low vision in self-administering at-home COVID-19 tests.

Ohio residents can now call a state-sponsored support line through the Be My Eyes phone app to receive assistance taking any at-home COVID-19 test authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, by downloading the free Be My Eyes app for Apple or Android smartphones. Once on the app, the user should select “State of Ohio COVID Testing” and will be connected to an experienced customer support representative from Accessible Pharmacy Services. The customer support representative can help individuals read print information or instruction, provide step-by-step guidance while taking the test an read the results of the completed test.

This service is available to receive calls 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Upcoming meetings:

● Volunteer Firefighters' Dependents Fund Board, 4 p.m., Wednesday, Shelby Fire Department, 40 High School Ave., Shelby

● Volunteer Peace Officers' Dependents Fund Board; 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, Shelby Fire Department, 40 High School Ave., Shelby