Auburn, Ala.— The Exceptional Outreach Organization and the City of Auburn Parks and Recreation Department will host the 24th annual Love Your Heart Run and the 6th annual Crank Your Heart Ride on Saturday Feb. 23, 2013, at Chewacla State Park. These dual, fundraising events benefit children and adults with special needs that participate in Special Olympics of Lee County, Best Buddies of Auburn University and Therapeutic Summer Camp. The Love Your Heart Run and Crank Your Heart Ride have raised an estimated $100,000, in the past 8 years, to support therapeutic programs in Lee County.

LifeSouth Community Blood Centers are in need of all blood types.  After last Friday’s declaration of an emergency blood shortage, donors’ response to the news across the region has been encouraging; however, the blood inventory continues to hover at emergency levels.

LifeSouth urges all eligible donors who are feeling healthy to come out and support their communities by donating blood as soon as possible. Donors must be 17 or older, or 16 with parental permission, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health. A photo ID is also required.

LifeSouth is hosting two blood drives in Auburn today:

• Briggs & Stratton from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.
• Auburn University Army & Air Force ROTC from 9 a.m.

LifeSouth Community Blood Centers are in need of all blood types.  After last Friday’s declaration of an emergency blood shortage, donors’ response to the news across the region has been encouraging; however, the blood inventory continues to hover at emergency levels.

LifeSouth urges all eligible donors who are feeling healthy to come out and support their communities by donating blood as soon as possible. Donors must be 17 or older, or 16 with parental permission, weigh a minimum of 110 pounds and be in good health. A photo ID is also required.

LifeSouth is hosting a blood drive in Auburn today:

• Big Lots of Auburn from 4 p.m.