Applause

Tent blood drive a success

The Blood Bank of Alaska's Kenai Peninsula Center held its first official tent blood drive July 27 immediately following the Progress Days parade. We could not have been happier with the turnout for this first time event.

The Blood Bank of Alaska has never held a tent blood drive on the peninsula before. Over 30 people turned out to donate the "gift of life" between noon and 5 p.m.

We would like to express our appreciation to everyone who helped make this drive the success that it was: the Soldotna Chamber of Commerce, the Kenai Watershed Forum and Joe Arness for the donation of tents. A special thanks goes to Merrill Sikorski for all of his efforts in getting the word out to the community. Thanks also goes to Tim and Pam Musgrove of the Soldotna Lions Club and Alaska Anvil Inc. for their help with the setup and arrangement of the equipment.

Without all of these dedicated and caring community members we would not have been able to hold an outside event such as this. We truly appreciate the community that we serve. Please watch for our next tent drive and join us in our mission to save lives.

Rita Wydra, manager Blood Bank of Alaska's Kenai Peninsula Center