Richmond Beach's 10th Anniversary Blood Drive Saturday

By Tom Petersen

A decade ago, Young Adult Librarian Aarene Storms looked at the meeting room at the Richmond Beach Library and wondered what inarguably good event belonged at that neighborhood nexus, in a community so enthusiastic and generous. The obvious answer: A blood drive.

It only took two visits from the then-Puget Sound Blood Center before the every-eight-week event outgrew the library. The Shoreline Fire Department's Melanie Granfors welcomed the drive to the Fire Safety Center just a block away, though, and ten years, 1200 donations, and 150 gallons later, the now-Bloodworks Northwest event is a happy institution in Richmond Beach.

To commemorate the milestone, special RB 10 magnets, window clings and luggage tags will be given to all who give a pint this Saturday, September 8. The bloodmobile will be at the corner of Richmond Beach Road and 20th Ave NW, in front of the fire station and next to D'z Barbershop, the drive official business partner for all ten years, and Hill's Restaurant, the other great on-site supporter.

Donations can be made by appointment (at www.bloodworksnw.org) or by walking up between 10 a.m. and noon or 1pm and 4pm. Donors need a photo ID. High school students over 16 years and 125 pounds may donate with written parental permission, and earn an hour of Volunteer credit from Shorewood High School.

SPECIAL PLEA: Bloodworks Northwest is making a big push this Fall to get people to donate blood before the inevitable storms and hurricanes elsewhere in the country lead to emergencies and shortages. Now is the time!