The American Red Cross of Mass Bay, 177 Ward Hill Ave., will hold a blood drive on Thursday from noon to 5 p.m.
All donors can enter a drawing to win Red Sox tickets as Blood Donor of the Game, and will also receive a holiday T-shirt and a coupon for a pint of Friendly's ice-cream. Appointments can be made by calling 800-448-3543. More information is available online at www.givelife.org.
Newburyport offers shuttle bus service
As part of its "Love at First Sight" tourism campaign, Newburyport is trying to reach out to people in communities that can access the commuter rail.
For people in Haverhill and Lawrence, the shuttle bus service from the Newburyport commuter rail station (on the Newburyport/Rockport line) could help avoid the hassle and expense of parking in downtown Newburyport and at the beaches of Plum Island. Newburyport Mayor John Moak is allocating economic development money to pay for a shuttle bus to and from the commuter rail station through Labor Day. The bus costs $1 to downtown and $2 to Plum Island per person each way. Children under five ride free. Newburyport's special summer events include: Riverfront Music Festival on July 11 and Yankee Homecoming from July 26 to Aug. 2. More events are listed online at www.newburyportchamber.org.
YMCA has road race and Kids Fun Run
The Haverhill YMCA will hold its Independence 5K Road Race and Kids Fun Run on July 9.
The event begins at Haverhill Stadium on Lincoln Avenue. The fun run starts at 5:45 p.m. The road race is at 6:30 p.m. Registration is online at www.northshoreymca.org or in person at the YMCA, 81 Winter St.
Volunteers are needed to help with a variety of jobs, including working at the registration and refreshment tables, at water stops along the route and helping with the cookout. Volunteers will be asked to start around 5 p.m. More information is available at 978-374-0506.
Haverhill High pool has summer activities
The pool offers swim lessons on Mondays from 9 to 10 a.m., July 6 to Aug. 10.
The cost is $65 per person, for ages 3 and older. Registration is July 6 at 8:45 a.m. in the pool lobby. Open family swim is every Tuesday and Thursday from 2:15 to 3:15 p.m., starting July 7. The cost is $3 per person.
Morning lap swim is held every Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 5:30 to 7 a.m., starting July 6. Diving lessons are every Sunday from 6 to 8 p.m., starting July 12. The cost is $5 per person. More information is available by calling 978-374-5732.
Credit Union helps local charities
The Merrimack Valley Federal Credit Union's Charity Golf Tournament, held June 8 at the Atkinson Resort & Country Club in Atkinson, N.H., raised $20,000 for two charities: the Merrimack Valley YMCA and Emmaus Inc. in Haverhill.
Every year, The credit union raises funds through ongoing charitable efforts and events with employees and members. In the near future, the credit union will be hosting an employee Charity Lowell Spinners Night, a drawing for a big screen TV and its second annual flea market for charity in September. Details are available at www.merrimack-valley-fcu.org.
The Merrimack Valley Federal Credit Union serves anyone who lives, works or worships throughout the Merrimack Valley. Branches are in Lawrence, Methuen, North Andover, Haverhill, and Plaistow, N.H.
Wal-Mart 'raises the roof'
Wal-Mart in Plaistow, N.H., will be "raising the roof" in an effort to raise money for Children's Hospital at Dartmouth.
From 5 p.m. on July 10 to 11 a.m. on July 12, store managers and others will camp out for the weekend on the roof of the building. The public is welcome to attend this fund raiser, which features live music, food, raffles, a craft fair and balloons.
