Blood drive: 278 donors, $23,500 for Island charities
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Support team
The Island's "Hope for Hooters" cancer fundraising team recruited blood donors for Saturday's Islandwide blood drive on a walk from the BeachHouse Restaurant donor site, stopping at The Islander blood mobile location, then on to Marina Pointe Storage and A Pine Avenue Salon in Anna Maria, also a blood mobile location. Special rewards were given to donors such as free meals for kids at the BeachHouse Restaurant, T-shirts and duffel bags, but the real winner is Florida Blood Services which collected 234 units of blood during a traditionally slow donation period. |
A total of 278 donors volunteered their blood at three locations in the Islandwide blood drive over the weekend, bringing just shy of $23,500 to four Island organizations from an anonymous benefactor.
The net result was 234 units of blood for the Florida Blood Services, more than the 200 units it had anticipated.
The anonymous benefactor had offered to give $100 for every unit of blood donated to the donor’s favorite charity (or combination) from four selections:
Wildlife Education and Rehabilitation Center $10,933, Anna Maria Island Privateers $3,250, Anna Maria Island Community Center $4,833, and West Manatee Fire & Rescue volunteers $4,483.
Blood was taken at blood mobiles at the BeachHouse Restaurant in Bradenton Beach, where 117 donors gave; The Islander in Holmes Beach, 107 donors; and Marina Pointe Storage/A Pine Avenue Salon in Anna Maria, 54 donors.
All donors got free T-shirts and duffel bags, and children 12 and under got a free meal at the BeachHouse when accompanied by an adult who had donated blood.
The organizations benefiting in cash will put the money to good use, they said.
Wildlife Rehab provides treatment and care for injured and orphaned wildlife to return native species back to the environment, and provides classes for schools and civic groups to heighten environmental awareness. It can be reached at 778-6324.
The Privateers annually gives scholarships to high school graduates, and help youngsters on the Island and elsewhere with sponsorships and they other activities, including a Fourth of July parade and celebration. A Privateer can be contacted at 778-8519.
The Center for 45 years has served Island children, families and seniors with cultural, educational, fitness, family support, recreational and sports programs. It is currently raising funds for building expansion. Phone 778-1908.
Fire district volunteers vitalize the history of the district, maintaining the Bradenton Beach Historic Volunteer Station and an antique fire truck for children to visit, as well as for parades. Phone 737-9025.
The blood drive was sponsored by Marina Pointe Storage, Tropicana, Pepsi, BeachHouse, A Pine Avenue Salon, The Herald and The Islander. |
