Dear Editor,

A big thank you to everyone who helped to make our June Red Cross Blood Drive a huge success!

The protocol for the day changed and we were, unfortunately, not able to take as many walk-ins as usual. That was a tough change to make because we are used to being able to fit in many people who figure out that they can squeeze one more thing into their day. We were sorry to have to turn you away and hope that we see you at the next blood drive.

There was a mostly full schedule for the day and some folks did have to wait a bit longer than we ever hope to have people wait, but everyone was kind and patient. The drive registered 43 total donors and 41 pints of blood were collected; 35 whole blood and six power reds. What a successful day! Thank you to everyone who came to donate blood. People from Monticello and the surrounding communities are stars at helping us meet our goals so that people are able to live well and stay healthy.

Unfortunately we were not able to take food donations from outside sources, which is one of the great things about our blood drive. We missed the cookies and cheese and sausage from our friends who always have been happy to supply them, and hope that soon we will be able to offer those treats at the canteen. Thanks to Roger and Karen Brugger for donating ice cream cups for June Dairy Month. And also thanks to Culver’s for their “Pint for a Pint” coupons. Thank you also to the Monticello Lions for doing the lifting and hauling at the beginning and end of the drive. Plus, we thank the Zwingli church for letting us use their wide-open space.

Best regards to everyone in the local communities. You are a kind and generous, and we thank you all for your support with our blood drives.

See you in October,

The Monticello Red Cross Blood Drive Committee