<b>Getting ready for Valentine Ball</b>

[caption id="attachment_34604" align="aligncenter" width="4032"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/valentine.jpg" rel="attachment wp-att-34604"><img class="size-full wp-image-34604" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/valentine.jpg" alt="Over 30 volunteers spent the day at the home of Rosemary Cuppia recently addressing 1,100 invitations to the 2018 Valentine Ball. Now in its 29th year, the Beaufort Memorial Foundation’s signature fundraiser weekend will kick off Feb. 9 with a Cocktail Affair in Tabby Place. Cuppia, shown here with Kathy Kilgore, and her husband Kevin are serving as honorary co-chairs of that event. The Valentine Ball will take place the following night with pre-ball dinner parties at private residences and a black-tie gala at Tabby Place. Haven't received an invitation but would like to attend? Tickets are now on sale at valentineball.org. Be sure to RSVP by Friday, Jan. 12, in order to join one of the pre-ball dinner parties." width="4032" height="3024"></a> Over 30 volunteers spent the day at the home of Rosemary Cuppia recently addressing 1,100 invitations to the 2018 Valentine Ball. Now in its 29th year, the Beaufort Memorial Foundation’s signature fundraiser weekend will kick off Feb. 9 with a Cocktail Affair in Tabby Place. Cuppia, shown here with Kathy Kilgore, and her husband Kevin are serving as honorary co-chairs of that event. The Valentine Ball will take place the following night with pre-ball dinner parties at private residences and a black-tie gala at Tabby Place. Haven't received an invitation but would like to attend? Tickets are now on sale at valentineball.org. Be sure to RSVP by Friday, Jan. 12, in order to join one of the pre-ball dinner parties.[/caption]

<b>Blood drives are&nbsp;</b><b>set for January</b>

The following sites will hold blood drives in January:

• Monday, Jan. 1: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Breakwater Restaurant

• Wednesday, Jan. 3: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Beaufort Jasper Hampton Comprehensive Health Chelsea Clinic

• Saturday, Jan. 6: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at PARC at Broad River

• Tuesday, Jan. 9: 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the Sea Island Rotary at The Quality Inn

• Wednesday, Jan. 10: 2-7 p.m. at Omni Health &amp; Fitness

• Monday, Jan. 15: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Turbeville Insurance Agency

• Tuesday, Jan. 16: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the YMCA of Beaufort County

• Monday, Jan. 22: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Beaufort Academy

• Saturday, Jan. 27: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Kalon &amp; Co./Local Clothing Boutique&nbsp;

• Wednesday, Jan. 31: 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Beaufort Jasper Sewer &amp; Water Authority

<b>Youth alliance holds forum on opioid crisis</b>

The Lowcountry Alliance for Healthy Youth (LCAHY) is hosting a Community Forum from 6-8 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, at the Seahawk Cultural Center on Hilton Head Island.&nbsp;

Registration will take place from 5:30-6 p.m. This forum is open to the public and people of all ages are welcome and encouraged to attend.

The keynote speaker will be South Carolina Rep. Shannon Erickson of Beaufort County District 124. She is also on the South Carolina House Opioid Abuse Prevention Study Committee.

Erickson, along with other experts, will be addressing the opioid epidemic in the Lowcountry and increase awareness about the effects of childhood/adolescent medicine and substance misuse.

Other speakers include:

• Beaufort County Coroner Ed Allen: The Lowcountry Opioid Epidemic

• Dr. Ravi Srivastava: Who is affected? Addiction and Mental Health

• Dr. Lynn Geiger: Child/Adolescent Medicine and Substance Use/Abuse

• LCAHY Youth Coalition: Message to Our Community

“The opioid/heroin epidemic is our nation’s No. 1 preventable public health problem,” said Wendy Cummings, president of the LCAHY Executive Board. “It threatens the well-being of every American and South Carolinian at every socio-economic level, at every age, in every neighborhood and in every region of the state.&nbsp;

“The more people who attend this free forum will benefit Beaufort County as a whole. We need the public educated on how serious this issue has become."

Visit www.lcahealthyyouth.com.