KEYSTONE CLIPS Blood drives seek volunteer help

The Mercer County Unit of the American Red Cross is looking for some community-minded volunteers.
The agency needs people to work at their blood drives, serving as greeters to welcome and guide donors, escorts to walk donors from donation beds to canteen areas, and canteen servers to offer refreshments and monitor donors after donations are given.
"Your gift of volunteerism can help us to save lives," said Dan Dilley, agency spokesman.
Interested people can contact Dilley at (800) 542-5663, Ext. 6828.
Accepting applications
The Pennsylvania Department of Health is accepting applications for its Violence-Free Youth Challenge, State Rep. Chris Sainato announced.
The Violence-Free Youth Challenge encourages young people to be advocates for violence prevention.
It is open to Pennsylvania elementary and middle or junior high schools, and community-based organizations serving those pupils. Young people ages 6 to 14 can compete in the multimedia and written expressions categories.
Schools or communities are eligible to win $5,000 if selected, and individual winners will receive $500 savings bonds.
All statewide winners will be invited to Harrisburg in May for a recognition ceremony.
Violence prevention programs must be instituted no later than March 3, and winners will be announced April 15.
For information, call the health department at (877) 724-3258.
Watershed grants
Organizations can apply for watershed grants through the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection.
The grants are available to a variety of eligible groups, including counties, authorities, municipalities, county conservation districts, watershed organizations and others involved in the restoration and protection of Pennsylvania's environment.
The application deadline is Feb. 3. To get an application, write to DEP Grant Center, Rachel Carson State Office Building, 15th Floor, 400 Market St., P.O. Box 8776, Harrisburg, Pa. 17105-8776 or via e-mail at growinggreener@state.pa.us.
There is nearly $547 million available in grants.
XCONTRIBUTORS: Harold Gwin, Vindicator Sharon Bureau, and Laure Cioffi, New Castle Bureau.