A Blood Drive For All Ages

By Dorothy Evans

On August 5 th , Weiser held its quarterly Red Cross blood drive at the Vendome. Traditionally, the August drive is the best attended of the four and this one did not disappoint. 70 donors (five more than our May drive) gave their blood to help save the lives of others.

During this pandemic, the blood drive is one of the safest places to be. Masks were required, everyone’s temperature was taken, distancing was enforced and pens, hand-held computers and surfaces were constantly sanitized. Every blood donation is tested for COVID prior to distribution, and the donor can check the American Red Cross website to see their results.

It’s always a pleasure to meet first time donors. Likewise, it’s also a joy to see teens donate blood. At Wednesday’s drive, we had the good-fortune to have not one, but two teens donate for their first time. Both girls were encouraged by their mom which in my mind is very good parenting.

16-year old Weiser High School sophomore, Whitney Turner, said she wasn’t nervous to give because she’s “not afraid of needles.” She added that it was easy, didn’t hurt, it was a “good thing to do” and says others should “definitely do it.” Whitney enjoys volleyball and baking.

Another 16-year old, senior Rachele Story, is a member of WHS’s award-winning cheer team. She admitted she was a little nervous but said it “didn’t hurt.” She was all smiles when she noted that “it went great.” She, too, felt it was good to help others.

At the opposite end of the age spectrum, 91-year old Ward Sutton reached the 21-gallon mark. To put this in perspective, I asked professional painter Everett Pierce how many gallons of paint it takes to coat the outside of a standard size house. On average, 21 gallons would cover two houses! Congratulations, Ward, on your outstanding achievement.
We are very grateful to all our donors. Those giving their permission to print their name are: John Aegerter, Suzanna Hubele, Jason Bair, Rhonda Hirata, Betty Ketterling, Darin Walker, Jeff Kahler, Lucile Ross, Mary Carole Kunz, Ralph Rowley, Fred Haun, Larry Lee, Wendy Martell, Chris McCord, Owen Edwards, Colleen Edwards, Sheila Sorensen, Rejeana Goolsby, Ed Roukema, Ralph Graham, Pat Sullivan, Randy Hibberd, Bob Barber, Barbara Barber, Melisse Hiner, Barbara Huck, Sheleigh Turner, Whitney Turner, Mari Bionaz, Haylee Facer, Bryan Drake, Lupita Rodriguez, Steve Nakamura, Jo Wemmer, Sue Slade, Jean Hill, Jill Link, Rachel Hawkins, Gary Hill, Dave Nudo, Angela Glemser, Chuck Kroll, Ward Sutton, Sabrina Young, Tina Frei, Christian Martinez, Brian Johnson, Ray Ketterling, Mark Christensen, Sonia Sosa, Mirna Barron Soto, Molly Jensen, Rachele Story, Scott Ellwood, Patti Hartnett, Sherri Breaux, Becky Anderson, Kami Terry, Maria Almanza, Lila Harper, Tammy Simmons and Allen Simmons.

Many thanks go out to our volunteers and helpers. Ronnell Chavarria worked the food table while husband, Alex, handed out sandwiches and made reminder telephone calls.
Dorothy Evans manned the registration table and Tom Anderson arranged all the tables and chairs to meet COVID guidelines. Special thanks are extended to Patrick Nauman of Weiser Classic Candy who generously donated sandwiches for the donors and bag lunches (each with a Velvet Mint!) for the workers and volunteers. We are also very grateful to MTE for their
contribution that pays for supplies and WIFI and the City of Weiser for the use of the Vendome Event Center.
Weiser’s next quarterly blood drive will be held in the Vendome on Wednesday, December 9, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. We are working to make it the biggest drive in years. Please call Alex Chavarria at 208-602-7138 or Dorothy Evans at 208-549-5589 to schedule an appointment. Your blood could save a life. There’s no better way to spend an hour of your time.