Robeson County, You Can Donate Blood For A Chance at Super Bowl Tickets

Just imagine, you and a friend in Las Vegas at this year's Super Bowl! All it takes to qualify is you sticking your left or right arm out and giving a pint of blood.

The American Red Cross and Robeson Community College in Lumberton, North Carolina needs you. In early January 2024, the American Red Cross declared an emergency blood shortage. If you are wondering why, it is because fewer people are donating blood than at any point in the last 20 years.

Let me share a few more alarming statistics:

Our friends at Robeson Community College in Lumberton and in Pembroke are doing something about the low blood supply in our area and giving you a chance to win tickets to the Big Game.

RCC has scheduled a special blood drive. The first will be on the RCC main campus on Friday, January 19, 2024 beginning at 9:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. The event will be held in the Student Center located in building 13.

The second blood drive will take place January 22, 2024 from 11:00 a.m. until 3:15 p.m. in Pembroke at RCC's COM Tech location at 124 Livermore Drive.

Please do two important things if you are planning to donate. Share this information online and with your friends, family and everyone that you know and encourage them to donate blood. Did you know just a single unit of blood can save more than one life?

The other thing is to please be well hydrated when you arrive to give blood and also make sure you bring along your identification with a photo.

Everyone that donates will be entered for a chance to win an exciting trip for two to Super Bowl LVIII in Las Vegas. The drawing includes travel, hotel, a $1000 gift card, pre-game activities and more.

If you need more information on the blood drive, click here or you can call toll free 1-800-733-2767.

What an exciting time for football. And with the Super Bowl around the corner, you might as well make sure you have your appetizers and snacks in order. Whether you're excited about the game, the insane commercials, or the halftime show, it's certain that most people will be chowing down on apps.

Last year, a study found that appetizers make up most people’s diets on gameday. Interestingly, 70% of people skip the entrée and stick to appetizers on Super Bowl Sunday. This study also found that 41% say they tend to overeat.

Another study found that more than half of people look forward to game day parties because of the food. Also, highlighted is that 74% of people plan to make food at home. Meanwhile, 26% plan to order from restaurants. Either way, there will be food.

Taste of Home compiled a list of what they consider to be the best of the best when it comes to apps. Their top five include an antipasto platter with meat and cheese cubes, pepper jelly hogs in a blanket, beef Wellington fried wontons, fruit charcuterie board, and ham and Swiss sliders.

There’s something for everyone from last-minute party throwers to ambitious hosts. If you're looking for something quick chips and dip is a go. If you're looking for something with a bit of pizazz, maybe try a quesadilla ring.

This year's Super Bowl will be held on Sunday, Feb. 11. Kickoff is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. EST. Whether you're tuning in for the game, watching for the commercials, or just want to see Usher's halftime show, make sure you have your snacks ready to go.

There are many game day apps you can add to the menu, from wings, dips, and sliders, to desserts, and breads. Check out these appetizers that will make watching the game even more fun.

Whether you're going store-bought or homemade, chicken wings are a definite crowd pleaser. They're easily customizable from a simple dry rub to a tossed-in sauce moment. And if you are trying to keep things somewhat on the healthier side, you can always bake your wings instead of frying them.

Nachos are a game-day favorite for many. You can go all out with toppings or keep it simple if you need to make something quick. The main ingredients include tortilla chips, cheese, and toppings. These toppings can be meat, tomatoes, black olives, black beans, corn, onions, among others.

Buffalo chicken dip features chicken mixed with your favorite buffalo sauce and cream cheese. If don't feel like cooking the chicken, you can always grab a rotisserie chicken. It can be paired with tortilla chips, crackers, or toasted baguette slices.

These are a budget-friendly option that can be made with ingredients that you probably already have on hand. It's a more effortless appetizer made with the crispy skins of a baked potato filled with bacon, cheese, sour cream, and chives. To make it more of an appetizer, you can opt for smaller potatoes.

This appetizer is like a miniature bite of comfort food. They're creamy balls of mac and cheese that are crispy on the outside and cheesy on the inside. And they are made with a few ingredients including pasta, cheese, milk, flour, eggs, panko, and seasonings.