What: Don and Kandy Maddison Memorial Blood Drive, sponsored by Laramie County Fire District 2

When: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31

Where: Station #1, 5800 North College Drive, Cheyenne.

More information: United Blood Services staff will be on hand to do the blood draw.

This is the second year for the event, which was started in memory of Don Maddison, a longtime member of the fire district and a district board member who died in 2007 after a lengthy illness.

Maddison lived the last few years of his life dependant on blood from donors, and thanks to the community’s residents, he was always able to get it. To “pay it forward,” his family and the fire district created this community event.

For more information: Contact Terry Dimon at 630-2128 or Laramie County Fire District 2 at 632-5400.

What: 2009 American Cancer Society Relay For Life Kickoff Celebration

When: 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 27

Where: First United Methodist Church, Allison Hall, 108 E. 18th St.

More information: The event is open to anyone wishing to find out how to get involved in the American Cancer Society’s Relay For Life event this year.

Information will be available on volunteer opportunities with the planning committee and on forming teams to participate in the event.

For more information: Contact Heather Tupper at 778-6460 or visit http://www.relayforlife.org/cheyennewy.

What: Operation: Military Kids training and information session

When: 1-4 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 22

Where: Laramie County Library, 2200 Pioneer Ave., Sunflower Room

More information: Operation: Military Kids is a new, grant-funded program in Wyoming that provides statewide support to kids whose parents are deployed from any military branch through its various partner organizations (such as 4-H, American Legion, Boys & Girls Clubs and others).
Volunteers are needed to help support and provide growth opportunities to these children.

For more information: Contact Eloise Riley, program coordinator with the University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Service, at 307-633-4492 or eriley3@uwyo.edu.

What: The Laramie County Community Partnership is making its Holiday Gift Collaborative a year-round effort.

How you can help: Your gifts of money, clothing and other items will be matched with local families in need through a database operated through the Attention Homes Web site.

To donate: Call Tammy Howard, director of development for Attention Homes, at 421-9674 or visit www.attentionhomes.com. Once on the Web site, scroll down toward the bottom of the page and look for a red LCCP donation link. There also is a link to donate money through PayPal to the right.

More information: The collaborative helped 30 families with 56 children during the recent holiday season. More than $1,200 in cash donations was collected.

What: Volunteers sought to work at Wyoming Coalition for the Homeless’ Welcome Mat on a special national Day of Service

When: Monday, Jan. 19

Where: 907 Logan Ave., Cheyenne

How you can help: Volunteers are needed to check people in and oversee the day’s activities. Two shifts are needed: 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 1-3 p.m.

To volunteer: Call Virginia Sellner at 307-634-8499 or e-mail wch@vcn.com.

More information: For more about the Day of Service linked to the next day’s inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama, visit www.usaservice.org.

What: Chili Challenge Cook-Off to benefit the Boys and Girls Club of Cheyenne

When: 5-8 p.m., Friday, Jan. 30

Where: Holiday Inn, 204 W. Fox Farm Road

Chili cooks needed: This event will showcase chili made by local residents, organizations and individuals. Vendors are required to provide 4 gallons of chili for the event and buy a temporary food permit ($25) from the Cheyenne-Laramie County Health Department. Awards will be presented.

Sponsors needed: $1,000 Red Hot Chili Pepper Sponsorship includes a banner displayed at the event (provided by sponsor), inclusion of a logo in promotional ads and materials, and 10 tickets to the event. $500 Blazin’ Sponsorship includes a logo in promotional ads and materials and five tickets to the event.

For more information: Call Terri Wells, resource development coordinator, at 307-778-6674.

What: Non-perishable food items are being collected for Needs Inc.’s local food pantry

When: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday

Where: Unified People’s Federal Credit Union, 414 E. 18th St., northwest corner of Van Lennen Avenue

More information: Any non-perishable food item is acceptable, but canned fruits, vegetables and soup, as well as pasta and pasta sauce are especially needed.

For more information: Call 307-632-1476, ext. 211.