Giving for grandmas everywhere

As crazy as it sounds, my second favorite Christmas song is sung by the Muppets. Yes, that’s right, those funny-looking puppets. It’s a beautiful song that describes Christmas as “a season of the heart, a special time of giving.” 

 To me, that perfectly defines a blood drive where the most wonderful gift of all, the gift of life, is given.

 At Weiser’s quarterly blood drive held on Dec. 20, we had a fantastic showing of 68 donors. Though each person had their own special reason for giving, I want to share with you two marvelous stories told to me that day.

 High school senior and previous donor Darrian Hoobery wanted to donate but couldn’t because he had a wrestling match. To help offset his disappointment, his mom and first-time donor, Mandy, offered to donate in his place.  What a mom!  

 After her draw was completed, Mandy told me she will be back next quarter. She also said she has three more kids at home and when they are old enough to give, she will be sure they donate too.

 The most touching reason for giving was told to me by Courtney Woodard, who said she was grateful to have had her grandma a few extra months because of a blood transfusion her grandma received.  Courtney said she wanted to donate so other people could have their grandmas longer too.

 We are very grateful to all the donors.  Those who gave their permission to print their name are:  Marg Chipman, Connie Lawrence, Cindy Duncan, John Aegerter, Steve Cooper, Tiffany Totten, Fred Haun, Bob Barber, Chris McCord, Lyle Kleppin, Bret Karnes, Larry Lee, Janet MacLean, Jason Bair, Denise Wilson Longo, Sheila Sorensen, Jill Link, Nadine Glascock, Mandy Hoobery, Randy Hibberd, Courtney Woodard, Pete Ney, Linda McLaughlin, Barbara Huck, Rick Haynes, Kelly Haun, Carl Sorensen, Pat Sullivan, Teresa Hull, Nancy Seeley-Cox, Jessi Butterfield, Kyla Dickerson, Joe Milner, Rex Winegar, Kaelyn Messersmith, Jennifer Moreno, Elizabeth Moore, Wil Overgaard, Anne Oglevie, Alisha Horton, Molly Jensen, Alfredo Hernandez, Jr., Jake Evans, Ralph Graham, Alex Conrad, Sarah Real, Gloria Schoonover, Scott Ellwood, Mari Bionaz, Tina Frei, Verna Voris, Julie Derr, Lupita Rodriguez, Kim Hamilton, Candy Reedy, Sandy Cooper, Lila Harper, Bruce Winegar, Renee Roe, Michael Huerta, Dennis Cooper and Caitlin Clark.

 The blood drive could not happen without the help of the volunteers.  Delores Overacker, Patty Dickinson, Rosa Yzquierdo, Nancy Futrell and Anna Loos of Xi Nu Sorority took charge of the kitchen (purchasing food supplies, making sandwiches, keeping the food tables stocked for the donors).  

 The expense of the sandwich makings, paper supplies and WIFI was covered by a generous donation from MTE.  Delicious cookies for the donors were contributed by Preceptor Tau Sorority and a fabulous chicken casserole lunch was a combined donation from all five groups in Beta Sigma Phi and prepared by Xi Nu Sorority.  Those Xi Nu ladies sure can cook!  

 Alex and Jacob Chavarria made phone calls and reservations while Dorothy Evans handled the registration table. Lyle Kleppin escorted donors from the draw stations to the food table and Jessi Butterfield spent time learning the registration process.