Red Cross kicks off Heroes Campaign

The Douglas County chapter of the American Red Cross kicked off its annual Heroes Campaign fund-raiser Wednesday in a ceremony at the Dole Institute of Politics.

Thirty-two local community members each volunteered to attempt to raise $1,000 for the local Red Cross chapter during April.

“All the money stays local and sustains local services,” said Jane Blocher, executive director of the Douglas County chapter of the American Red Cross.

This year’s goal is $30,000, Blocher said. Volunteers raised $17,000 last year in the inaugural campaign.

Local radio personality Hank Booth is the campaign chairman.

Three-day giveaway of compost begins today

Gardeners looking for ways to enrich their soil are invited to Lawrence’s compost giveaway today, starting at 8 a.m. at the city’s composting facility at 1420 E. 11th St. The facility will close at 3 p.m.

“We’ll have a loader there to help people with pickup trucks or trailers,” said Diana Sjogren, a waste reduction and recycling specialist for the city. “Otherwise, it’s bring your own buckets, shovels and gloves. Take all you want. It’s free.”

Two 120-foot-long rows of compost — each 3-feet tall –will be given away.

The compost is made from more than 9,000 tons of leaves and grass clippings collected throughout the spring, summer and fall.

The giveaway continues Friday, from 8 a.m. until 3 p.m. and Saturday, from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m., as long as supplies last.

City officials canceled the giveaways in 2003 and 2004 after detecting potentially harmful levels of Clopyralid, a broadleaf herbicide often used on lawns.