Briefs: Give blood, take in history by walking, free tax preparation

Feb. 15--Critical need for blood

With severe weather and flu season in full swing, the American Red Cross has seen a dip in blood and platelet donations. More than 550 blood drives in January have been forced to cancel due to weather conditions, resulting in 16,500 blood and platelets donations going uncollected.

Blood donations can be made Feb. 23 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kaiser Permanente Campbell Medical Office, located at 200 Hacienda Ave. in building 200.

To make a donation appointment, download the Red Cross Blood Donor app, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-733-2767.

Walk with Campbell

The Campbell Historical Museum will host a historical walk on East Campbell Avenue on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 10 a.m.. Museum staff will lead the walk, highlighting the historic buildings, businesses and notable citizen.

The stroll downtown is free. Meet outside of Blue Line Pizza, located at 415 E. Campbell Ave.

Questions? Call: 408-866-2119.

College tuition planning

Need help planning your child's future for college? The Tiny Tots Parent Resource Center will host a free college financial planning workshop on Saturday, Feb. 17, 10:30-11:30 a.m. at the resource center located at 138 Railway Ave.

Parents and guardians can learn about avoiding costly mistakes, amounts of money needed to save for college, different savings plans and applying for scholarships, grants and loans.

For more information, visit tinytots.com/parent-resource-center.

Free tax preparation

VITA will offer free tax preparation for individuals and families whose income is less than $54,000 at the West Valley Branch Library, located at 1243 San Tomas Aquino Rd. on Saturdays. Trained Volunteers will be at the West Valley Branch Library until April 7 to prepare 1040 EZ, 1040A, 1040 with Schedule A, B and limited Schedule CEZ, C and California Income Tax Returns only.

People cannot file as "married filing separate returns" for these preparations at the library. A photo ID, Social Security card or Individual Tax Identification Number will be needed for each family. People need to bring W-2 forms, all 1099, 1098 and other tax forms received, a copy of last year's federal and state tax return and a check with an account number for direct deposit.

Intake process will end at 12:15 p.m. every session. More details: visit sjpl.org/westvalley.

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