A SMT News Report

The American Red Cross will hold three blood drives in Stoddard County in August, and thanks to a new partnership donors will have a special treat.

Upcoming blood drives in Stoddard County include:

• Friday, Aug. 12 at the Fraternal Order of Eagles, 13583 Old Highway 25, Dexter, from 2 – 7 p.m.
• Monday, Aug. 15 at the Life Chapel Assembly of God, 22443 State Highway 51, Puxico, MO, 3 – 7 p.m.
• Friday, Aug. 19 at Mingo Job Corps Center, 4253 State Highway T, Puxico, MO, 9 a.m. until 2 p.m.

Thanks to a new partnership between the Red Cross and Keebler, donors will now receive Keebler cookies after giving blood.

“We truly appreciate this donation from Keebler”, said Scott Caswell, CEO, Missouri-Illinois Region. “Offering a delicious Keebler? cookie to our blood donors is our way of thanking them for their time and generosity.”

The partnership between the Red Cross and Keebler is a natural one. Both organizations believe in the value of recognizing those individuals who selflessly give of themselves to help those in need.

“We hope that our giving back to the people that give to others will inspire even more simple acts of kindness,” said Todd Penegor, Kellogg President of US Snacks. “Keebler believes in the value of doing uncommonly good deeds and is joining the Red Cross to encourage all eligible people across America to give blood.”

The Red Cross, through the dedication of its donors, provides blood and blood products to 79 hospitals across the region and needs nearly 800 blood donors to come forward each day to roll up a sleeve, make their summer blood donation and enjoy a tasty Keebler cookie.

While blood donations are up from seriously low levels in May and June, blood products continue to go to area hospitals just as quickly as they are coming in. The sweltering heat waves that have baked much of the country this summer have hurt blood collections, too, as triple digit temperatures made it extremely difficult to recruit enough donors to go out and give blood.

In effort to thank blood donors who choose to help with this summer’s blood shortage, the American Red Cross has launched a “Be Extraordinary” campaign so donors can turn their typical summer day into an extraordinary gift for a patient in need.

As an extra incentive this summer, anyone who presents to donate blood with the Red Cross by Sept. 5 is automatically entered into a drawing for a $250 gas card, and will also have an opportunity to purchase discounted Ram’s tickets. On Labor Day weekend, anyone presenting to donate Friday through Monday is automatically entered into a drawing for a $1,000 gas card.

Plus, anyone who presents to donate blood through Wednesday, Sept. 14 is automatically entered into the Red Cross Racing “Summer Drive Sweepstakes” to win a brand new 2012 candy red metallic Ford Fiesta SE, courtesy of Ford Motor Company. One winner is selected by random drawing on Monday, Sept. 19.

Photo Above: Cory Bennett prepares to give blood at an American Red Cross Blood Drive earlier this year at Dexter High School.