First Presbyterian happy to boost holiday blood supply

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EATON — Eaton First Presbyterian Church blood drive coordinator Kathy McGinnis filled a stocking with gift cards to thank everyone for donating on the day after Christmas at the “Christmas Isn’t Over Yet” blood drive.

McGinnis was busy during the weeks before her blood drive, drumming up support from 10 local businesses for her gift card collection. She discussed her plan with Community Blood Center account representative Melinda Frech.

“Melinda and I talked,” said McGinnis. “How are we going to get people to come out the day after Christmas? From the different businesses I approached, I got different gift cards. I can’t believe how many people came out! I didn’t know what to expect!”

The blood drive topped its goal with 78 donors, including 61 whole blood donations and 10 platelet and plasma donations. McGinnis passed her Santa stocking at the table in the Donor Café, letting donors choose a gift card to KFC, Pizza Hut, Subway, Frisch’s, Eaton Place, Marathon, Daylight Donuts and Wings, Etc.

For the donors, it was a pleasant post-Christmas surprise. “I just scheduled it last time,” said Eaton donor Dave Stevenson, who received a coupon for a free Skyline coney dog. “I’ve been doing it since ’63 and I have 101 donations as of today.”

“I’m retired and I have time to do it,” said New Paris donor John Barnes.

“I signed up last time and it happened to fall on this day.” Eaton donor Diana Kuck was surprised by a free Kid’s Meal card from Frisch’s Big Boy. “My youngest granddaughter can use it!” she said.

Joyce Johnson donated platelets at the “Christmas Isn’t Over Yet” blood drive. She’s already looking ahead to the June 18 Camden community blood drive she coordinates with her sister Robin Wood.

“We always have it scheduled all the way full,” said Johnson, thinking about her New Year’s resolution. “We’d like to add another and have three per year.”

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