WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) — Six New Hanover County elementary schools have been selected to participate in the USDA Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program for the 2011-12 school year.

The program is a component of First Lady Michelle Obama's "Let's Move!" initiative to solve childhood obesity within a generation. Alderman, Mary C. Williams, Rachel Freeman School of Engineering, Snipes Academy of Arts and Design, Sunset Park and Winter Park will all participate, according to New Hanover County Schools.

Through North Carolina state allocations of nearly four million dollars, these schools will reportedly have additional resources to improve the nutrition of the foods they serve.

“The program is highly successful in introducing school children to a variety of produce they otherwise might not have the opportunity to try," said USDA Under Secretary for Food, Nutrition and Consumer Service Kevin Concannon, in a press release.

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) — Even though Memorial Day is a holiday, the need for donated blood isn't taking a break.

The Carolinas Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross is asking for Wilmington residents to donate blood on the following days and times:

• Friday, May 27 from 8 a.m. until 2 p.m.
• Sunday, May 29 from noon until 4 p.m.
• Monday, May 30 from 8 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.

You can donate blood by going to the Wilmington Donor Center, located at 1102 S. 16th Street. Donors will receive several thank yous for participating, including an American Red Cross can cooler, collapsible frisbee, free Chick-fil-A sandwich coupon, Sea Dawg tickets, a Cold Stone Creamery coupon and be entered to win one of two pairs of roundtrip Delta Air Line tickets.

Blood can safely be donated every 56 days for most healthy people over the age of 17 and who weigh at least 110 pounds.