Red Cross Distributes Awards for Outstanding Support 
On Oct.1, the American Red Cross Blood Services, Indiana-Ohio Region, hosted its annual recognition luncheon at the Fort Wayne Marriott. Many awards were distributed to recognize the outstanding achievements and volunteer service of individuals and businesses in our region. The following were recognized from Porter County.
The Outstanding Volunteer Service Award recognizes the countless Red Cross volunteers who serve the community at blood drives, donation centers and local Red Cross chapters.
- Oleta Chester, Valparaiso
The First Time Sponsor Award recognizes the businesses, churches and community organizations across the Indiana-Ohio Region that held their first American Red Cross blood drive during the last year or came back after an absence of three or more years.
- Arnell Motors
- Bailey Elementary School
The Faithful Friend Award recognizes the sponsors who have been loyal supporters of the American Red Cross. This year’s Faithful Friends agreed to have blood drives during inclement weather or holiday periods, secured volunteers to help provide excellent customer service and could be counted on to meet goals.
- Arnell Motors
- Central Christian Church
- South Haven Public Library
The Growing by Leaps and Bounds Award recognizes the blood drive sponsors who increased the units of blood donated at their blood drives by at least 25 percent or who increased the number of blood drives they hosted in the last year.
- Duneland Health and Wellness
- Ivy Tech Community College
- YMCA of Portage
The Lifesaver Award recognizes blood drive sponsors who were especially accommodating by replacing drives that had been canceled, hosting last minute drives and demonstrating flexibility when Red Cross equipment or staffing issues required their mobile dates or times to be changed.
- Our Lady of Sorrows
The highlight of the event was the presentation of the American Red Cross Partnership Awards.
The Partnership Awards recognize the invaluable work of the chapters, hospitals and sponsors that support the Indiana-Ohio Region. Their active role and faithful support in the collection of blood products helped make this year a success.
The Indiana-Ohio Region works with more than 1,800 blood drive sponsors who open their facilities and allow blood collection at their sites, take an active role in the recruitment and retention of blood donors and continue to faithfully support blood donation. Sponsors who went above and beyond in the last year were recognized with the Sponsor Partnership Award.
- U.S. Steel Midwest
U.S. Steel Midwest has an excellent blood drive coordinator who makes calls immediately after a blood drive to make appointments for the next drive. The coordinator takes much pride in her job and always tries to surpass her last blood drive success. She even takes initiative to recognize employees who are repeat donors and accomplish high donation rates. U.S. Steel Midwest is a terrific partner of the American Red Cross.
The chapters nominated for the Chapter Partnership Award offered exceptional support to Blood Services by ensuring that volunteers were present at blood drives to run registration, serve at canteen and arrange transportation.
- American Red Cross of Porter County
The Porter County Chapter not only teaches CPR and safety classes, but are active with blood drives and special events in the community. They provide needed volunteers for blood drives and coordinate food for donors. The Chapter keeps a list of upcoming blood drives on hand to provide information to prospective donors and is faithful to quickly refer potential drive sponsors to the blood services representative.
The hospitals nominated for the Hospital Partnership Award helped ensure a safe and continuous blood supply by supporting blood collections, forming special partnerships with the Red Cross Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region and participating in professional development opportunities.
- Porter Hospital
Porter Hospital opens its doors to the community every month for a blood drive. Employees are encouraged to donate as often as possible. In addition, the hospital regularly participates in American Red Cross technical advisory symposiums and is always a willing participant in pilot programs and suggested strategies to improve service.
The Red Cross thanks these honorees and the entire community for its support of blood donation.
How to Donate Blood
To schedule an appointment to donate please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org for more information. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), meet weight and height requirements (110 pounds or more, depending on their height) and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.
About the American Red Cross
The Indiana-Ohio Blood Services Region serves northern and central Indiana and northwestern Ohio, and needs to collect about 500 units of blood a day to meet patient need in more than 60 hospitals. In addition to providing blood to our community, the American Red Cross also provides relief to victims of disaster, trains millions in lifesaving skills, serves as a communication link between U.S. military members and their families, and assists victims of international disasters or conflicts.