By Dorothy Evans
At Weiser’s quarterly blood drive, held on December 7 in the Vendome Events Center, Mathias Smith was heartily congratulated by volunteers and fellow donors for reaching the 21-gallon donation mark. It takes many years to attain such a feat and only four other active donors in Weiser have donated more blood.
Mathias and his wife Mary moved to Weiser a year ago from Albion, Indiana, to be near their son who married a Weiser woman. He understands civic duty, he said, from working 14 years for the fire department, six years as an EMT and two terms on the Albion City Council.
When I asked Mathias what or who got him started donating blood, he credits his grandfather, Kenny Smith. He also admitted, though, that he started donating while still in high school so he could get out of going to class.
Mathias and Mary are just two of the 91 donors who braved the cold weather to donate blood at Wednesday’s drive held by the American Red Cross. A total of 92 units was collected. Since one blood donation can help save three lives, 276 people will be impacted by Weiser’s donors.
We appreciate all our donors. Those giving their permission to print their name are:
Jason Bair, Larry Lee, Darin Walker, Jeff Kahler, Fred Haun, Steve Cooper, Chris McCord, Sabrina Young, Cindy Duncan, Rachal Messersmith, David Hopper, Chris Christopherson, John Hardenbrook, Bret Karnes, Edward Huerta, Sara Little, Rejeana Goolsby, Shari Main, Sarah Imada, Freddie Hernandez, Laura Phillips, Aurora Salazar, Gilbert Salazar, Daniel Parker, Kaytie Arner, Colleen Edwards, Daryn Young, Rebekah Tracy, Mary Walker, Mick Warden, Sue Slade, Rebecca Wooten, Ian Ross, Lucy Ross, Glade Gowans, Ron Handel, Sandy Cooper, Justin Beach, Laurel Handel, Mark Christensen, Bob Barber, Barbara Barber, Sandy Michael, Mari Bionaz, Charles Winegardner, Phil Condon, Bridger Thomas, Suzanna Hubele, Isabel Rodriguez, Linda McLaughlin, Marla Leedy, Julie Sarazin, Lupita Rodriguez, Barbara Huck, Ed Roukema, Toria Broam, Kathy Westover, Cynthia Haynes, Rick Haynes, Monica Odoms, Savannah Wright, Jan Mullins, Mary Schwartz, Brian Johnson, Molly Jensen, Patti Hartnett, Mike Hartnett, Mary Smith, Mathias Smith, Rhonda Hirata, Lila Harper, Jeff Nauman, Tammra VanNess, Gary Hill, Alana DeYoung, Norma Brown, Thereasa Rasmussen, Dean Anderson and Leah Ankarberg.
The blood drive could not happen without the help of the volunteers. Blood drive
chairman, Alex Chavarria & Thereasa Rasmussen pulled it all together by lining up and calling donors.
Coordinator Dorothy Evans worked the registration table during the drive and enters
future appointments into the database after the drive. Janet Forward helped at the
registration table. Mary Walker, Delores Larsen, Jan Mullins, Vicki Sale, Vi Peterson
and Vickie Thomas of Nu Masters sorority prepared sandwiches for the donors and a delicious baked-potato bar lunch for the workers and volunteers. Nu Masters is a
member of the Beta Sigma Phi City Council who funds the purchase of the food. We
are also grateful to MTE for their generous contribution that pays for supplies and WIFI.
Weiser’s next quarterly blood drive will be held in the Vendome Events Center on
Wednesday, March 8, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please call Alex Chavarria at 208-
602-7138 or Dorothy Evans at 208-549-5589 to schedule an appointment or go on the American Red Cross website to reserve your time slot. Your blood could save a life.
There’s no better way to spend an hour of your time.
