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The gastronomically brave will attempt the Jog N Hog race at Presque Isle State Park on Saturday.

The race kicks off at 8:30 a.m. Participants will run two miles, eat six Stanganelli’s pepperoni balls and then run (or hobble) two more miles.

Proceeds from the race go to the Community Blood Bank. Learn more here. Registration closes Wednesday at midnight.

For those with weaker stomachs, the blood bank is offering coupons for six pepperoni balls to all blood donors this week. Donors can also snack on the balls after they give blood.

One donor will win a cooler filled with Stanganelli’s favorites.

“This is terrific having a local favorite helping us out,” said Dan Desrochers, director of marketing at the Community Blood Bank, in a news release. “We are dependent on local donors to maintain a safe blood supply and we thank Stanganelli’s for their help encouraging them to come and give blood.”

The blood supply remains low. Desrochers said that as the summer progresses the supply will deplete further.

To donate blood, visit the Community Blood Bank at 2646 Peach St. in Erie. The bank is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

February is drawing to a close, and spring is just around the corner (hopefully.) This week’s Volunteer Round-up features opportunities for giving back in the great outdoors.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is looking for able-bodied volunteers to participate in this year’s Great American Cleanup.

The cleanup will run from March 1 though May 31.

Last year, more than 159,000 volunteers collected 7 million pounds of trash from 13,140 miles of roads, trails and shorelines, reported the Department of Transportation.

“Cleanup events like this have been a great success in improving the quality of life for Pennsylvanians by creating cleaner roadsides and communities,” said Transportation Secretary Barry Schoch, in a news release. “Many dedicated residents return year after year to show their support, and I encourage more Pennsylvanians to show pride in our state through these great opportunities.”

Gloves and tools will be provided.

Interested volunteers should go to www.gacofpa.org.

Eat, Run, Donate

Registration is currently open for the the Stanganelli’s Pepperoni Ball Jog ‘n Hog on June 16.

What is this unique race, you ask? Well, runners jog 2 miles in Presque Isle State Park, eat 6 pepperoni balls and then run (or waddle) back to where they started.

Warning: This race is only for the gastronomically brave.

Register before May 9 for $30. From May 10 to 31, registration is $35. It is $40 from June 1 to 13.

The Jog ‘n Hog supports the Community Blood Bank.

Want to learn more? They have this fun video:

Edinboro University is hosting first annual MDA Muscle Walk on March 31.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is looking for volunteers to help out with these tasks:

• Registration
• Food / Commissary
• Chinese Auction
• Activities (Handing out ballons, facepainting, etc…)

To get involved, call (814) 833-0131.

**Note the date of the Jog ‘n Hog has been changed from June 15 to June 16.

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Suggestions are always welcome. Shoot me an email at catherine.cloutier@timesnews.com.

Graphic from Clker