NORTHAMPTON — Adults interested in donating blood will have an opportunity to do so at a community blood drive at Cooley Dickinson Hospital on Wednesday, Aug. 28 and Thursday, Aug. 29.
The hospital is partnering with the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, and the Kraft Family Blood Donor Center to bring a blood mobile to Northampton. The blood mobile will be set up in the parking lot in front of the hospital’s North Building from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, and between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. on Thursday.
All blood donors will receive a $10 gift card for Sunoco. A photo ID is required for blood donation. Donors are also advised to be well hydrated, drink extra water, and eat before donating blood. All donor types are welcome.
To make an appointment, visit the online donor portal at: tinyurl.com/CooleyA2024 (for Wednesday) or tinyurl.com/CooleyAu2024 (for Thursday). For donation eligibility questions, email BloodDonor@partners.org or call 617-632-3206.
Blood products collected during this drive will used to care for patients in the Pioneer Valley and within the Mass General Brigham system.
HOLYOKE — OneHolyoke CDC will host an open house at 278 Pine St. at 10 a.m. on Saturday to provide information about three below-market duplexes the organization is making for sale.
Information will also be provided about the lottery process that will be used to identify an income-qualified bidder for each of the homes.
The homes are each priced at $225,000, below market rate, and located at 278 Pine St., 291 Walnut St. and 299 Walnut St.
Qualified applicants who meet certain guidelines — such as having a household income not exceeding 80% of the median income level, committing to living in the home for a minimum of 10 years, and completing a first-time homebuyer education course — will receive a lottery number from OneHolyoke, with three applicants being selected at random who will be offered the opportunity to purchase one of the three homes. A completed application and all necessary paperwork is required to receive a lottery number.
Information about the homes for sale, the lottery process and the application can be found at oneholyoke.org/homes-for-sale/. Through this lottery process, OneHolyoke works to increase housing availability and affordability in the footprint it serves in the city.
HOLYOKE — WestMass ElderCare is holding a “Fabulous 50th Online Auction” to commemorate five decades of service to older adults and individuals with disabilities. The milestone celebration not only highlights WMEC’s commitment to enhancing the quality of life for those in need but also showcases the generous support of the communities it serves.
Since its inception in 1974, WestMass ElderCare has offered comprehensive services, which include in-home care, nutrition programs, caregiver support, and more.
The online auction will feature an array of items and experiences donated by local businesses and supporters. From dining gift cards and gift baskets to Thunderbirds, Red Sox and Bruins tickets, there will be something for everyone to bid on and enjoy. The auction begins Thursday, Aug. 8, and continues through Aug. 30. All proceeds will directly benefit WMEC’s programs and services.
For more information and to preview the items up for bid, visit wmeldercare.org/online-auction.
BOSTON — The Massachusetts Department of Transportation is reminding customers to be mindful of text message-based scams, also known as smishing. The scammers are claiming to represent the tolling agency and requesting payment for unpaid tolls.
Customers receiving the scam text messages seem to be chosen at random as the targeted phone numbers are not uniquely associated with an account or usage of toll roads. Customers who receive an unsolicited text, email, or similar message suggesting it is from EZDriveMA or another toll agency should not click on the link.
MassDOT said that EZDriveMA will never request payment by text. All links associated with EZDriveMA will include EZDriveMA.com.