Conference Deadline Looms

Local service organization Soroptimist International of Oakdale is sponsoring its annual “Dream It, Be It Career Support for Girls” conference for high school girls who reside in Oakdale. The conference will be held online via Zoom over four days from Tuesday, Oct. 20 through Friday, Oct. 23 from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m. Focusing on career education and support for high school girls, the event features presentations from a panel of professional women in various careers. There will also be sessions on discovering your dreams, values and goal setting, turning failures into successes, and balancing stress with yoga. This year’s keynote speaker is Oakdale’s Distinguished Young Woman Jadyn Rau. The conference is free to attend. To receive a conference registration packet, e-mail sioakdale@soroptimist.net. For questions, contact Chair Chris Di Cristina at (209) 606-5517. The deadline to register is Friday, Oct. 16.

TOPS Group Meets

Meetings of the local TOPS, Take Off Pounds Sensibly, 1034 chapter are hosted on Mondays from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m., at the United Methodist Church, 1480 Poplar in Oakdale. Members of the group are temporarily meeting outside with social distancing in place. Featuring help with weight loss in a supportive setting, attendees from Oakdale, Riverbank, Escalon and beyond are welcome. For additional information, call Audrey Oliver at 209-765-7838 or visit www.tops.org.

Blood Donors Sought

Now more than ever, your blood donation is vital this month and during the ongoing pandemic. As a thanks for helping, donors to the American Red Cross will automatically be entered to win a $1,000 Amazon.com Gift Card when they come to give in October. Five gift cards will be awarded. The Modesto Fixed Blood Donation Site at 1900 W. Orangeburg Ave., Modesto, is open various days and times and Shelter Cove Community Church, 4242 Coffee Road, Modesto, will host a community blood drive from 11:30 a.m.to 5:30 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 30.