The Atlanta Falcons are throwing their support behind the American Red Cross and the tremendous need for blood donations this month.

From Saturday to August 23, the team is giving all participants a signed player's card, a Falcons-Red Cross T-shirt and a chance to win a Falcons helmet signed by head coach Bobby Petrino, or two tickets to a preseason home game.

"We're excited to partner with the American Red Cross to help emphasize the need for blood donations during what is traditionally a slow time of year," said Ms. Kendyl Moss, Atlanta Falcons director of community relations.

Low numbers of blood donations, which are typical in the summer, make it impossible to supply local hospitals with all of the blood they need for patients, say Red Cross officials, and there is no blood available from other states this time of year.

Currently, supplies of type O and B blood are especially low and donors with those blood types are urged to make a special effort to donate this month. The universal blood type O is used extensively in emergency rooms since it can be safely given to all patients who need immediate transfusions.

The Red Cross will hold a series of Falcons blood drives in the Athens area on August 18 and 20.

On August 20, the blood drive will last from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Athens Donor Center. On August 20, it will be from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Winder Wesleyan Church Blood Drive.

For more information, call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (448-3543) or visit the Web site at www.redcrossblood.org. Most healthy people age 17 or older, who weigh at least 11 pounds, can give blood.

Information can also be found on www.atlantafalcons.com.

NEWTON RECREATION

Saturday marks final day to register for leagues

Online registration for the Newton County Recreation fall baseball and softball leagues is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday only at the Newton Recreation Commission. (The final day to register is Saturday.)

Boys must be at least five years old and no older than 14 as of April 30, 2008. Girls must be at least five years old and no older than 14 as of January 1, 2008.

Registration for the fall adult softball league ends today.

A deposit per team will be due at the time of registration, while the balance of the registration fee is due September 4. (The fee is based on the number of teams registering.)

There is a coaches meeting at 7 p.m. on August 21 at the Stone Road Complex.

For more information, call (770) 786-4373 or visit the Web site at www.newtonrecreation.com.

"THE CRITICAL HOUR"

Carter to speak at family conference tonight

Dale Carter, who was a standout cornerback in the NFL for 13 seasons, will be a guest speaker at "The Critical Hour" Family Conference at 6 p.m. tonight at the Eastside High School Auditorium.

Led by Senior Pastor Carlton D. Mathis, the conference is primarily focused on the importance of supporting youth and education, and how the community can respond to the desperate cry of a wounded generation.

Carter, a four-time NFL Pro-Bowler, is scheduled to share his testimonial during the service. Carter is a former Newton High School product and graduated in 1988. He was a Class AAAA first team All-State football player for the Rams.

After graduating, Carter played at the University of Tennessee and was named first team All-America as a senior. He was drafted by the Kansas City Chiefs in 1992 and earned Rookie of the Year honors.

Besides the Chiefs, Carter played for the Denver Broncos, Minnesota Vikings, New Orleans Saints and the Baltimore Ravens.

"The Critical Hour" is a two-day event, which will include testimonial services, praise and worship, break-away sessions and an award-winning stage play, among other things.

For more information, call Terry Cosby at (404) 288-2825.

GOLF

Golf Classic to be held Friday at the Oaks Course

Courtesy Ford presents the 16th Annual Golf Classic at 1 p.m. (shotgun start) Friday at the Oaks Course.

The tournament is to benefit the Project ReNeWal Domestic Violence Intervention Program, Inc.

Prior to the event, lunch will be served at 11:30 a.m. The players from the first place team win a cooler of steaks.

Participants can register by calling (770) 860-9770, as the tournament typically sells out each year.

For additional information, visit the Web site at www.golfoaks.com.