By Alan Sorensen
Despite a recent rash of colds and flu, the Bear Paw Chapter of the American Red Cross blood drive nearly reached its quota Monday at Van Orsdel United Methodist Church.
"We did pretty good considering how sick everyone is," drive chairwoman Karen Golden said. "We had 107 people show up and we got 101 units." That was just nine units (approximately a pint each) short of the quota.
Leroy Keller did double duty, giving blood to the area Red Cross for the 201st time, and then helping serve refreshments and sandwiches as one of a cadre of Knights of Columbus who volunteered their time. The group even prepared consomm.
"Leroy received a plaque and cake in honor of the 200th unit he gave in November that brought his total to 25 gallons," Golden said.
"We gave out cakes to Cal Simons and Cathy Moore and had two people who will receive cakes next time, Janice Erickson did 10 gallons and Mike Spencer, five gallons."
The next Bear Paw blood drive is scheduled for is March 6.
