What: United Blood Services has a critical need for O-negative blood-type donors

When: Immediately

Where: 112 E. Eighth Ave., Cheyenne

More information: United Blood Services, the only supplier of blood to our hospital, is urging anyone with O-negative blood to consider donating now. Your donation will have a direct impact on life-saving efforts right here in your own community.

Volunteer blood donors must be at least 16 years of age, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health. Additional height/weight requirements apply to donors 22 and younger. Donors who are 16 must have signed permission from a parent or guardian.

To make a blood donation appointment: Call United Blood Services at 638-3326.

What: Treasures of the Plains, Past and Present

When: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday, April 3 and 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, April 4

Where: The Plains Hotel, 1600 Capitol Ave., Cheyenne

Cost: $3 for adults; children 12 and under are free

More information: This inaugural fundraising event for United Way of Laramie County will include visits by historical figures from Cheyenne’s past and an appearance by Wyoming writer and historian Shirley Flynn.

An antiques appraiser will be available between 8:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. April 4. Workshops will be held on collecting, refurbishing and maintaining your antiques. There also are special consignment tables available

For more information: Vendors should contact Sharon Roberts-Meyer at The Plains Hotel, 307-638-3311 ext. 4608 or Salesmgr2@theplainshotel.com.

The United Way of Laramie County contact is Julie Hunter, who can be reached at 307-638-8904 or GivingDir@UnitedWayofLaramieCounty.org.

What: MS Walk 2009

When: Saturday, April 4 in Cheyenne

Where: Cheyenne-Kiwanis Community House in Lions Park

To register individually or as a team: Go online to www.mswyoming.org and click on the link under the tennis shoe picture in the middle of the page.

More information: The National MS Society helps people affected by MS by funding cutting-edge research, driving change through advocacy, facilitating professional education, and providing programs and services designed to help people with MS and their families move their lives forward.

For more information: Contact local event manager Stephanie Batson at stephanie.batson@nmss.org or 307-433-9559.

What: Non-perishable food items are being collected for the Needs Inc. food pantry in Cheyenne

When: Now through April 30

Where: Unified People’s Federal Credit Union, 414 E. 18th St., Cheyenne

Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday

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 632-1476, ext. 211.

What: Cinco de Mayo Hispanos Unidos Committee fundraising dinner and dance

When: Saturday, March 28; dinner, 6-8 p.m.; dance, 8-11 p.m.

Where: Knights of Columbus Hall, 507 W. 28th St., Cheyenne

Cost: $7 per person

Menu: Deep-fried taco, green chili smothered burrito, rice and refried beans

Who benefits: Cinco de Mayo Hispanos Unidos Committee’s scholarship fund

For more information: Call 633-3007 or 635-4369.

What: Get “mugged” for women’s rights by buying a student-made ceramic mug from Cheyenne’s Triumph High students or a mug created by an area artist.

When: 5-7 p.m. Tuesday, March 31

Where: Triumph High, 1250 W. College Drive, Cheyenne

Cost: $25 each

Who benefits: COMEA House homeless shelter in Cheyenne, which provides emergency shelter to homeless adults and families 365 days a year

More information: The event/sale is sponsored by the Z-Club, the student version of Zonta Club International. Z-Club members also will sell yellow rose pins and T-shirts.

For more information: For more about COMEA House and how to help the homeless in our community, contact Executive Director Teresa Garrido at 632-3174.

What: Project 1,000, an effort to provide one neck cooler and one helmet cooler to each Wyoming Army and Air National Guard soldier and airman as they depart next month to the Middle East

When: Help is needed now to finish making these items before the deployment.

What you can do: Money is needed to help buy materials for volunteers to make these comfort items. Materials to be bought include broadcloth material, thread, cord to attach the helmet cooler to the helmet, polymer beads and baggies to place them in.

These items also can be donated. Scrap broadcloth for the helmet liners, white or beige thread, and muslin or cotton in light tan (to match uniform) 45 inches wide would be welcomed.

In addition, individuals and groups are sought to volunteer to sew, raise funds and package these items for troops.

Who to contact: Project 1,000 is the brainchild of Larry Sprague, a retired Air National Guard member and current civil service employee at F.E. Warren Air Force Base. Contact him at larry.sprague@bresnan.net or 307-286-1015 to help out.

What: People First of Wyoming presents March Disability Awareness Month Dinner Celebration

When: 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26

Where: Holiday Inn’s Shoshoni Room, 204 W. Fox Farm Road, Cheyenne

Cost: Before Friday, March 20: $25 for members, $30 for nonmembers; after March 20: $35 for members, $40 for nonmembers.

In addition, corporate tables, which seat eight to 10 people, are available for $350 each, and event sponsor tables, which also seat eight to 10, are $1,000 each.

More information: Comedian and self-advocate Michael Beers will be the keynote speaker. A large portion of Beers’ act is based on his own life, growing up in Montana with his mother, three sisters, their dogs and a disability. He also ventures into some social and political commentary, according to a news release.

People First of Wyoming is coordinated by more than 100 individuals with both mental and physical disabilities. The organization promotes self-determination, self-advocacy and leadership among its members and others in the disability community.

For more information: Contact program coordinator Tammy L. Gamino at 307-432-4033 or 307-256-6368.

What: Dinner, dance and raffle to help the family of Bernard Van Scoy

When: 5 p.m.-12 a.m. Saturday, March 21

Where: American Legion Post 6, 2001 E. Lincolnway, Cheyenne

Cost: $10 per couple or $7 per single person entry fee; variety of entrees available at a reasonable price

More information: Bernard Van Scoy has suffered two strokes and endured brain tumors and blood clots the past year, causing financial hardship for the family.

Bernard and Darlene Alcon Van Scoy have lived in Cheyenne for many years and now live in Fort Collins, Colo. Both are currently unemployed, Bernard due to his disability.

The dinner will have a Mexican menu, and the band “New Image” will play music.

Other ways to help: To donate to the raffle, or to donate food or other items for this benefit, call Darlene at 970-691-1540.

What: Tenth Annual Celebrate Pink Luncheon and Fashion Show

When: 11 a.m. Saturday, March 21

Where: Little America Hotel and Resort, 2800 W. Lincolnway, Cheyenne

Cost: Tickets may be purchased for $25 until March 16.

More information: Funds raised are used to improve the quality of life for women while undergoing treatment for breast cancer. All models are breast cancer survivors.

Doors open at 11 a.m., and lunch will be served at 11:45 a.m. Other features include a 50/50 raffle, silent auction and door prizes.

For more information/tickets: Call Sandra at 635-5108.