Wednesday Five: Gift Of Life, Porketa, Nixle, Free Tax Prep Help

Give blood - In the wake of the blizzard and widespread power outages, the Rhode Island Blood Center lost nearly 600 blood donations, making it vital for donors, particularly platelet donors, to consider donating blood, helping to avoid a shortage. 

Porketa - Tickets are now on sale for the Woonsocket Rotary Porketa Monday, March 11, 6 p.m., at the Elks Hall, 368 Social St. They'll put you back $20, and you'llneed to find a rotary member to buy them. 

Nixle - After the recent snowstorm the Woonsocket Police and Fire Department  want to send a reminder about Nixle.  During the snowstorm residents received a phone message with information from Nixle.  We are encouraging all residents and interested parties to sign up for Nixle’s OPT IN notification alerts.  You will be able to choose what messages you want to be informed of including emergency alerts, public safety updates, or community event information. You can receive Nixle messages on your cell phone, tablet, or other device.

Money Management Training - The More for Your Money Program is offering FREE workshops to help individuals in areas such astracking spending, creating a budget, learning to save, opening and managing a checking account,understanding credit and credit scores and more. The next 4-week workshop series will be heldat Family Resources Community Action, 65 Main St. Woonsocket, RI beginning Wednesday, March 13 from 6 – 8:30 p.m. Participants can also receive individualized financial coaching.For more information or to register for the training, contact Monah Rhodes at 401-235-6081 ormrhodes@famresri.org.

For more information about other FRCA financial stability, employment & training, career advancementand other programs to support and strengthen individuals, call 401-766-0900 or visit www.famresri.org

Free Tax Services Connecting for Children & Families (CCF) is reopening its Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) site in Woonsocket.  The VITA program provides free tax preparation for families with income less than $50,000.  The tax preparers are trained and certified by IRS to do federal and state taxreturns.  This free service is available Mondays – Fridays 9:30 AM to 2:30 p.m. and Thursday 5 to 8 p.m. at the Hope Street Family Center at 46 Hope Street, Woonsocket. Call Zoya at (401) 766-3384 for an appointment or more information.