BRIEFLY IN THE NEWS

American Legion seeks gifts for baby shower

The American Legion Post 291 and the Newport Irvine Rotary Club are sponsoring a baby shower for the wives and babies of Camp Pendleton and Miramar Marines.

Many of the Marines whose babies will be celebrated are stationed in Iraq, Afghanistan and San Diego, and several of the mothers in the group are active duty Marines.

The legion is asking for cribs, car seats, strollers, baby clothes, diapers, baby food, monetary and other donations, which they will divvy up to the moms according to their specific needs.

The baby shower will be at the American Legion Post 291 at 3 p.m. Sunday. For more information about specific needs, call Margie Jones at (949) 640-7564.

Red Cross blood drive at JWA on Monday

The Orange County chapter of the American Red Cross will park its Bloodmobile at the Thomas F. Riley Terminal at John Wayne Airport on Monday to give airport visitors a chance to donate blood.

Passengers, employees and people there to meet or drop off passengers are encouraged to donate blood from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on the lower level of Terminal A.

The Red Cross will accept drop-in blood givers, but people can make an appointment in advance at www.givelife.org . At the website, type in “JohnWayneAirport” and click to choose an appointment time.

Volunteer cleanup planned for April 28

The Neighbors for Neighbors community cleanup will be held from 8 a.m. to noon on April 28. Volunteers are needed to help clean up at Fairview Park. Families are welcome, and youth can earn community service hours. To register as a volunteer call (714) 754-4892.

Leadership group accepting nominations

Nominations are open for the 2008 class of Leadership Tomorrow, a nonprofit group that promotes community involvement. Past members have learned about topics including healthcare, justice and water issues in Orange County.

The program lasts from September 2007 to June 2008. A typical class brings together business and community leaders and residents from Newport Beach, Costa Mesa and Irvine.

For more, call Jeff Parker at (949) 729-4408, or go to www.leadershiptomorrow.org .

JWA employee honored for customer service

The Orange County Tourism Council honored John Wayne Airport communications operator Elizabeth Wells with the Walter Knott Award for outstanding customer service in 2006.

The award was presented to Wells on Tuesday at the council’s annual service excellence awards at the Hilton Anaheim.

The Yorba Linda resident was honored for going above and beyond the call of duty, having once bought a “stranded soldier” a bus ticket so he could make the rest of his trip.