Blood drives to honor firefighters

Memorial blood drives are being held in two locations in honor of the Noonday Volunteer Fire Department and the tragic loss of two of its firefighters on Aug. 3.

The scheduled blood drives will be on Aug. 24 in Flint and Aug. 27 in Noonday. Both drives will be held from 4-8 p.m. The Flint location is Grace Fellowship Church, located at 18802 FM 2483 (Old Jacksonville Highway). The Noonday location with be at the fire department headquarters on 16619 Hwy. 155 South.

Capt. Kevin Williams and Firefighter Austin Cheek will be honored at both blood drive events. The men lost their lives on Friday, Aug. 3 battling a house fire in Flint. The home was destroyed but without injury to the family. Cheek was a 2006 graduate of Whitehouse High School.

In order to participate in the blood drives, donors must be at least 17 years old, weigh at least 110 lbs., have a photo ID and be in general good health. Free T-shirts and snacks will be available for all donors.

For more information or to schedule an appointment, call Dianne Martin with Stewart Regional Blood Center at 903-571- 8200.