Kaywyn J. Beswick, R.N./Morrison’s ARC Blood Drive Coordinator, submitted this report.
The fifth American Red Cross Blood Drive of 2015 in Morrison, IL, was held Thursday, September 17, at Emmanuel Reformed Church’s Christ Center, 202 E. Morris Street. Morrison United Methodist Church was having a rummage sale that week, so we used our alternate site. Those who came in were given an on-line coupon for a free haircut at SportClips. A big thank you goes to Emmanuel for letting us use your facility; it is greatly appreciated.
The Wa-Tan-Ye Women’s group is always our September sponsor. They always do a great job preparing and serving sandwiches, cookies, and drinks for our donors. The ladies who helped this time were Jan Horberg, Clarita Vandermyde, Nancy Usterbowski, Dee Janssen, Norma Thweatt, Kate Rambo, Alyce Cook, Monica Anderson, Ann Camp, Glenda Heywood, Edith Massey, Kathy Heumann, and Dorothy Demay.
A shout-out goes out to the Kiwanis for always coming to unload the truck and returning at the end of the day to reload it. Those helping were Deb Stiefel, Lawrence “Ike” Isaacsen, and Mr. Ashland. Sorry, but I cannot recall your first name, and it was our first meeting.
The women who helped at several stations in the drive room were Marcia Haag, Erin Beswick, Lana Nugent, Sandy Schroeder, Marilyn Akker, and Marilyn Habben. I am so grateful for my regular volunteers. Remember, if you cannot donate blood, you can always come volunteer.
We had 39 wonderful people come through the doors to donate blood and save lives. There were four “first-time” donors with ARC; they were Scott Temple, Evan Sipes, Karen Leif, and one gentleman who did not want his name printed. We are so glad that they have joined the ranks and hope that they become regular donors. Six people were “twice as nice” and gave double red cells equaling two units; they were Kent Stalow, Renee Temple, Scott Temple, Jack Bland, Dick Wieneke, and one gentleman who did not want his name published. Thanks so much to you six for boosting our numbers for the day.
Other fabulous donors who came in were Renee Vanderlaan, Lynn Reimer, Randy Kuehl, Connie Swanson-DeSpain, Chris Hawkins, Jim Fisher, Lisa Nice, Kristine Honeycutt, Keith Hamstra, Evan Haag, Linda Temple, Joe R. Bielema, Marsha Geerts, Steve Geerts, Kaywyn Beswick, Tim West, Margaret Barr, Bradley Bielema, Susan Noble, Nancy Shank, Adrienna Rombouts, Nancy Userbowski, Callie Bush, Bill Kuehl, Carolyn Aiken, Janet Manchester, David Temple, Julie Damhoff, and two other gentlemen, who did not want their names printed in the newspaper or on thecity1.com website. But I know who you two are, and I am very thankful for both of you. There were only five deferrals for the day, which is pretty good. Although 11 appointments did not make it in, we made up for it with the 12 “walk-ins” that gave our numbers a boost.
The weather may have deterred some folks, since it was not the greatest, with cool rain and some thunder for part of the afternoon. But we are hopeful that the next blood drive will be a little busier. It will be back at UMC on November 19, which is the Thursday before Thanksgiving. I am hopeful for a sunny day in the 60’s!
Our sponsor will be newcomer co-sponsors Council of Catholic Women and Knights of Columbus from St. Mary’s Catholic Church of Morrison. Remember that donating blood is not too difficult, it doesn’t take too long, and it saves up to three lives, in less than an hour of your time. Have a terrific autumn!