| Goal
Exceeded for Blood Drive
99 units of blood were donated at the October 28th Cottonwood Blood Drive which exceeded our goal of 90 units by 9. “We are extremely lucky to have so many people in this community who are willing to give of their time and come in and donate blood for our local drive,” remarked blood drive co-chair Brenda Kaschmitter. According to the Red Cross coordinator the Cottonwood Blood Drive is one of the biggest in the area. The Red Cross workers also commented; “the people at the Cottonwood drive are always so friendly and welcoming, we truly enjoy coming here.” Those receiving milestone donor pins were; Urban Wassmuth and Mike Schumacher 8 gallon, Lois Lamont and Jim Rehder 7 gallon, Sr. Placida Wemhoff, 4 gallon, Brenda Kaschmitter 3 gallon and Naomi Laurino received her 1 gallon pin. A special thanks to the first time donors; Michael Hattrup, Rose Riener, Andrew Gabica, Conner Rieman, Jenna Coppernoll, Makayla Taxon and Seth Crane. Thanks to all those who gave blood and also a special thanks to those who came but were deferred for one reason or another; we hope that you are willing to try again at the next drive which is scheduled for January 20th. A very special thanks to the many volunteers who helped to make this blood drive so successful; Debby Arnzen, Joe Riener, JD Lauer, Marlene Jungert, Elaine Schumacher, Eleanore Hinkelman, Merna Gehring, Helen Huntley, Carol Lauer, Audrey Uhlenkott, Anna Gehring, Delores VonBargen, Vera Holthaus and Urban Wassmuth. And a very special thanks to the HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) students of Prairie High School; Brock Heath, Katie Nuxoll, Kayla Johnson, Seth Guyer, Kyle Daly, Conner Rieman, Mike Karel, Kara Guyer, Andrew Gabica, Amanda Stinson, Amber Frei, Cassie Weightman and Taylor Ratcliff; we would also like to thank their advisor Sheri Daly for arranging for them to come down and help. “The high school students were great, they were so polite and they took their job very seriously; it was fun to have them around,” commented one of the adult volunteers. Without all these volunteers this blood drive would not be possible. These volunteers do a variety of jobs; setting up and taking down the tables and chairs, escorting donors, preparing the maple bars and fruit, signing in the donors, offering refreshments to the donors, putting up posters, making phone calls, washing dishes and even making soup for the Red Cross workers. “We hope to see all the past donors and volunteers again on January 20th and maybe even a few new ones. If you would like to donate or volunteer please feel free to contact either myself at 962-2327 or Brenda Kaschmitter at 962-3251,” said Cheri Holthaus; blood drive co-chair. |
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