November Blood Draw A Success!

'Tis the season of giving. Giving thanks and giving gifts. Thursday the Red Cross of Montana was the recipient of one of the greatest and most valued gifts...the gift of life, as the crew of six worked til 5 p.m. to accomplish their mission of the day.

This drive met the goal of 50 units by collecting 54. There were five individuals who were calm, relaxed and excited to be first-time donors; thank you to Tammy Wyse, and high school students Lela Domire, Josslyn Hoge, McKinley Skiff and Mackayla Tharp. Two individuals did the Power Red, donating two units of blood, which allows them to donate every other time rather than at each draw.

Local coordinator for the draw, Teresa Hotchkiss, commented on the event stating, "I would like thank everyone for donating and thank you to the Malta Dirt Daubers Garden Club and the Malta Kiwanis for donating sandwiches and cookies." The groups also provided volunteers for serving.

Leading the donors through the doors at the Event Center (Old Armory) was James Sintler, Mariah Kowceun-Marino, Kevin Stevens, Gordon Faaborg, Carol Brown, Marilyn Taylor, Archie Dunbar, Pierre Bibbs, Jackie Sorlie, Paul Mortenson, Ken Blunt and Joseph Salveson.

Also, Marcus Knudsen, Mary Lundstrom, Kayla VanWichen, Philip Munoz, Jessie Brockie, Marda Southwick, Rachel Liff, Alisha Gibbs, Rosemary Bednarczyk, Linda Borst, Scott King, Nancy Ereaux, Monika Taylor, David Veseth, Velyma Broadhead, Billie Maxie, Terry Lodmell, Laurie Hofer, Shelby Jones, Teresa Hotchkiss, Del Stiles, Chelsea Hoagland, Pam Newman, Kendra Veit, Lorie Bond, Susan Wiltz, Leona Siewing, and Lori Abrahamson.

Not only does the community pitch in and donate, so does family. Father and son, Gene and Joseph Salveson, brothers, Ted and Jack Kelly, and husbands and wives, Tom and Wendy Bedwell, Dale and Janet Veseth, and Ken Ruzicka and Penny Mackay. Completing it as a family are Eric, Dara and Danika Wilke.

The next scheduled blood will be Thursday, Feb. 13th. Call and make an appointment. Who knows...maybe a loved one will need blood and your donation will be one that helps save their life. Or...YOU might be the one in need. If you can, make an appointment and donate.