In partnership with Two Men and a Truck, the malls will collect bottled water, diapers, baby wipes, individually wrapped snacks, hand sanitizer and personal hygiene products.

Donations will be accepted from noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday and from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Monday. Each mall will accept items at a designated parking area. At Towne East, it will be near the Rock Road entrance. At Towne West, it will be near the Town West Drive entrance.

The Internal Revenue Service said the closures were necessary to meet the budget-cutting provisions agreed to by Congress and the White House.

Most of the closures are planned around holidays, starting with May 24. The other days are June 14, July 5, July 22 and Aug. 30.

According to the release, all operations will be closed, including toll-free hotlines and all assistance centers.

The closures will not affect any filing deadlines. However, the agency will give taxpayers an extra day to comply with a request to provide documents to the IRS if the last day for response falls on the furlough day.

At a later date, the IRS could add one or two additional furlough days.

Owners Kalene Smith and Shannon Dykman said they would be offering promotional deals and visiting with potential customers about what their business can offer. Dykman said GoTimeTraining offers personal training to help clients meet their weight loss and fitness goals.

The event runs from 1 to 4 p.m. at 11110 E. 26th St. North, Suite 600. That’s in the Greenwich Business Park, near the intersection of K-96 and Greenwich.

More information about the business can be found at www.gotimetraining.com

That’s according to the Kansas Credit Union Association, which said the effort is part of its “Make A Difference” campaign to raise awareness about credit unions in the state and to promote community giving.

The KCUA said in a news release Tuesday that 11 credit unions are participating in the campaign in Emporia, Kansas City, Ness City, Norton, Topeka and Wichita.

Officials from Equishare Credit Union, Mid American Credit Union and Wichita Federal Credit Union were on hand at 9:30 a.m. at Mead’s Corner, 430 E. Douglas, to pay for customers’ purchases.

KCUA said at each location Tuesday credit unions were expected to give away up to $1,000 in cash or gift cards.

This is the second “Make A Difference” giveaway organized by the KCUA. Last October credit unions were at gas stations across the state paying for customers’ gas purchases.

According to a news release from the company, the extended-stay hotel will be completed by October and will include enhancements that improve customer appeal and cost efficiency.

The 181-unit lodging chain said it was focusing on southwest Louisiana in part because of economic activity there. That includes development of liquefied natural gas plants and a casino that is under construction.

The event will run from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the clinic, 3233 N. Ridge Road.

According to a news release from the clinic, the event will include a cookout, homemade dog treats and cupcakes for the pets, giveaways and tours of the clinic.

Mark and Amy Ekerberg’s new practice, which opened in February, focuses on prevention, treatment and rehabilitation.

Amy Ekerberg, a native of Newton, and Mark Ekerberg, who is from Colorado, are graduates of Kansas State University’s College of Veterinary Medicine and have been in practice for 18 years.

More information about the business can be found at www.northridgevet.com

The award and others are given annually by Via Christi Hospitals in Wichita to recognize the hospital’s nurses, their values and the work they do.

Humphries is a service line administrator for oncology.

Other awards made at the reception Sunday included:

• New-To-Nursing Award (for nurses practicing two years or less) – Polycarp Mochama, Via Christi Village on McLean;
• Human Dignity – Elizabeth Hedges, Via Christi Hospital on St. Francis;
• Stewardship – Michele Hemberger, Via Christi Hospital on Harry;
• Excellence – Kalen Dusek, trauma/surgical ICU, Via Christi Hospital on St. Francis.

Winners were nominated for the annual awards by their peers, co-workers and patients.

More than 450 people attended the 2013 convention April 18-20, according to a news release from the group.

Other KOA officers installed at the event were: Chad J. Thompson, Beloit, president-elect; and Craig E. Newland, Parsons, secretary-treasurer. Directors who were installed were: Dawn D. Williams, Garden City; Shane R. Kannarr, Pittsburg; and Wayne R. Hemphill, Olathe.

Zone presidents are: Stacy A. Clark, Salina; Jeremy M. Durham, Wichita; Matthew C. Gerstberger, Garden City; Brandon K. Hunter, Leawood; Charles Rottinghaus, Topeka; Matt D. Skahan, Iola; Seth A. Thibault, Pratt. Ron D. Hansen, Hutchinson, will serve on the board as past president.

Also at the event, Ron D. Hansen of Hutchinson was awarded the William A. Carriger, Sr. Legislative Service Award. And P. Joe  Jittawait, Wichita, won the 2013 Outstanding Young Optometrist of the Year Award for his numerous contributions to the profession.

“Social Media Strategy and Facebook: Enhancing Nonprofit Marketing” will run from 10 a.m. to noon Wednesday at High Touch Technologies, 110 S. Main Street, Suite 600.

According to a news release, the session will include instruction on developing a social media strategy and ways that page managers can use Facebook more effectively for extending the reach of a nonprofit. There also will be a review of ways to improve visibility utilizing Facebook.

Mindy Tan, programs director for the Nonprofit Chamber of Service, will be the session presenter.

The cost is $20 for members and $70 for non-members. To register, call 316-440-6744

Two of the franchise sites, Bradenton, Fla., and St. George, Utah, represented the first Freddy’s in those states. The third site was in Katy, Texas, according to a news release from the company.

“We didn’t plan to open three stores in a single day but it is an exciting milestone for us,” COO Scott Redler said in a statement.  “We are prepared logistically with training teams in three states today and are very appreciative of the loyal guests who continue to fuel our nationwide expansion.”

The openings Monday brought the nationwide total number of Freddy’s restaurants to 92 across 16 states. The Wichita-based company plans to add at least 18 more sites this year, according to the release.

Co-founded by Redler and Bill, Randy and Freddy Simon, Freddy’s opened its first location in Wichita during 2002.