The Bulloch County Blood Center and the American Red Cross are pulling out all the stops as they prepare to kick-off Donor Appreciation Month this Monday.
Organizers are planning big give-a-ways of Red Cross gear and coupons from local establishments and they will enter each donor into a raffle for a chance to win gift certificates donated by local businesses and eateries. To top that off, anyone who donates blood in June will get a coupon for a pint of Bruster’s Ice Cream.
“’A Pint for a Pint’ is what we call it,” said Phil Grey, Bulloch County Blood Drive coordinator. “Anyone that donates a pint of blood will get (a coupon for) a pint of ice cream from Bruster’s.”
Grey said baked goods will be provided by Harvey’s and Magnolia Bakery for the drives and Dairy Queen, Baskin Robbins and Dunkin’ Donuts donated coupons that will be given out to donors. Also, each donor will have their names put in a hat to have the chance to win gift certificates from Deal’s Antiques, University Tire, Bernard’s Jewelers, RJ’s Steakhouse and Press Express.
“The community has really been great and they’ve really come through,” Grey said.
In addition to the local prizes, the Southern Region of the American Red Cross, which services all of Georgia and small portions of Florida and South Carolina, will be giving away a cruise for two to one lucky donor from the entire region.
Nancy Martin, senior account manager for the Southern Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross, said with an aging baby boomer generation, it is imperative that more young people donate blood.
“As that group starts to age and perhaps can no longer give blood, we really need young adults to come in and take up the role of the baby boomers who have given practically all of their lives,” Martin said.
There are three dates for county residents to donate blood. The drives on June 1 and June 18 will be held at the East Georgia Regional Medical Center’s Women’s Center in Room 307 from 12 to 6 p.m. On June 25, also from 12 to 6 p.m., the drive will be held at the First Baptist Church on North Main.
Organizers are planning big give-a-ways of Red Cross gear and coupons from local establishments and they will enter each donor into a raffle for a chance to win gift certificates donated by local businesses and eateries. To top that off, anyone who donates blood in June will get a coupon for a pint of Bruster’s Ice Cream.
“’A Pint for a Pint’ is what we call it,” said Phil Grey, Bulloch County Blood Drive coordinator. “Anyone that donates a pint of blood will get (a coupon for) a pint of ice cream from Bruster’s.”
Grey said baked goods will be provided by Harvey’s and Magnolia Bakery for the drives and Dairy Queen, Baskin Robbins and Dunkin’ Donuts donated coupons that will be given out to donors. Also, each donor will have their names put in a hat to have the chance to win gift certificates from Deal’s Antiques, University Tire, Bernard’s Jewelers, RJ’s Steakhouse and Press Express.
“The community has really been great and they’ve really come through,” Grey said.
In addition to the local prizes, the Southern Region of the American Red Cross, which services all of Georgia and small portions of Florida and South Carolina, will be giving away a cruise for two to one lucky donor from the entire region.
Nancy Martin, senior account manager for the Southern Blood Services Region of the American Red Cross, said with an aging baby boomer generation, it is imperative that more young people donate blood.
“As that group starts to age and perhaps can no longer give blood, we really need young adults to come in and take up the role of the baby boomers who have given practically all of their lives,” Martin said.
There are three dates for county residents to donate blood. The drives on June 1 and June 18 will be held at the East Georgia Regional Medical Center’s Women’s Center in Room 307 from 12 to 6 p.m. On June 25, also from 12 to 6 p.m., the drive will be held at the First Baptist Church on North Main.