12/05/12 In a season filled with giving, there’s a multitude of ways you can give back to your community through your American Red Cross.
“The gift you give today will be there for the patient needing blood, the family needing shelter, or the child who needs a hug and a blanket,” said Sharyn Whitman, CEO for the Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross. “Your gifts of time, blood or money can help save the day down the street, across the country and around the world.”
Volunteers are always needed, Red Cross officials say, to work in areas related to disaster relief, health and safety, and providing emergency communications to military members and their families. Volunteers are also needed to coordinate and sponsor blood drives or simply roll up their sleeves and give blood or platelets. People can help, too, by sharing motivational stories about their experiences with the Red Cross—either through the organization’s web site, or by joining the conversation on social media sites like Facebook and Twitter.
Come to donate between December 1st and 31st and be entered into a region-wide weekly drawing for a $250 gasoline gift card.
The next upcoming American Red Cross Blood Drive in our area is on Thursday, December 20th from 1:30 p.m. until 6:30 p.m. at the Marshall County Sheriff’s Office at 1400 Pioneer Drive in Plymouth. This is a Battle of the Badges blood drive.
How to Donate Blood
To schedule an appointment to donate please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org for more information. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in Indiana), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate. Platelet donors should also be aspirin-free for 48 hours.
