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Tuesday, April 8, 2008

Manchester host to American Red Cross blood drives for 30 years Local area women win Addy Citation of Excellence Award

Manchester host to American Red Cross blood drives for 30 years

The American Red Cross Bloodmobile rolled into Manchester for a community drive for residents of Delaware County for the first time March 15, 1978. The drive was the culmination of much planning by a committee with representation from the American Red Cross, Manchester Area Chamber of Commerce, Hospital Medical Staff, Laboratory, and Administration. Mayor Milt Kramer put out a plea to all residents of Delaware County who were able to give blood, to report to Delaware County Memorial Hospital. Kramer stated the hospital was badly in need of blood and promised to be the first in line. Service club members, teachers and all meeting donor requirements were urged to share the joy of living by giving blood. The “super response” of 158 donors at the first drive, maxed the capacity of the host site, and was indicative of the support the community drive has received over the next 30 years. More than 30 volunteers were on hand to provide assistance including local nurses; hospital staff, technicians, Auxiliary and maintenance personnel; and members of West Delaware Future Business Leaders of America. Two more American Red Cross blood drives would be held in Manchester that year with the Methodist Church as host site. Other service organizations joining the volunteer efforts of hospital employees and Auxilians included the Manchester Welcome Wagon, Manchester Jaycees, and WD FBLA. Total donations from the March, August and December drives exceeded the 300 mark, and plans were underway for 1979. American Red Cross blood drives continued, and so did the efforts of organizers to “grow” the numbers of donors. Bloodmobile representatives visited the high school encouraging and informing students that 17 year olds could now be donors without parental permission. 75 West Delaware High School students stepped up to top the 1000 mark for the first three years. Many changes have taken place over the years from one blood region to another; one coordinator to the next; from the flat beds to the “lawn chairs” to more comfortable cots with elevated backs; from one location to another; an increase in the number of “community” drives; and the addition of employer drives. Three things remain which keep the bloodmobile coming back to town: the need for blood, the community support from businesses and organizations financially and in the form of volunteers who provide a helping hand. Last but not least, are the donors who step up when called upon, whether a first time or a 13 gallon donor. Each is dependent on the other for the success of a blood drive, and the ultimate goal of making the gift of life available when the need arises. March 15 marked the 30th anniversary of the first American Red Cross Community Blood Drive held in Manchester. The celebration is being kicked off with a 1970’s theme for the upcoming drive in Manchester. “Still Spinning 30 Years Later” is the theme for the drive scheduled for Wednesday, May 14 from 11:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. at the Delaware County Community Center in Manchester. Scrapbooks dating back to the first American Red Cross Blood Drive will be available for history buffs, KMCH will be spinning tunes from the 70’s, and volunteers will be serving up strawberries and ice cream. Thirty years later, Mayor Milt Kramer remains committed to the community event, voicing appreciation for all who have contributed to the success of the American Red Cross Blood Drives in one way or another, and stated “I encourage all eligible donors from the area, be it the farm, area schools, industries, and businesses to use this occasion and become a first, second, third, or 100th time donor and continue to give drive after drive.” All eligible donors are invited to fill up a unit….the Blood Bank can’t run on empty. Call 1.800.GIVE.LIFE or visit givebloodgivelife.org.

Local area women win Addy Citation of Excellence Award

The Addy Award is the advertising in-dustry's largest competition, and this national contest is judged on a local level through the Advertising Club of Dubuque. Missi Thede, owner of Thede Photography in Manchester, and Crystal Haring, owner of Haring Graphics in Dubuque, won a prestigious 2007 Addy Citation of Excellence Award in Photography. Haring says the two partnered to design a trailer graphic for Michael Kadlec, a motocross rider from Haring's hometown of Central City. This is the first time either of the women have won an Addy Award.

Missi Thede and Crystal Haring

Thede, who started her business over two years ago, specializes in motocross photography, and she spends a lot of time shooting photos at motocross events state-wide and in other states including Illinois, Wisconsin, Minnesota and Missouri. Haring says, “Thede has a definite gift for what she does.” Haring has been involved with graphic design for about six years, but just recently started her own company. Her company won two Addy Awards this year. Fifteen percent of Haring's proceeds at Haring Graphics goes to local charities. If you'd like to find out more about the work of these award winners, you can check out their websites at HaringGraphics.com or ThedePhotography.com.

Pictured above is the trailer graphic that won Haring and Thede the Addy Citation of Excellence in Photography Award. Thede provided the photos, while Haring added the graphic touches. At right is motocross rider, Michael Kadlec from Central City in front of the other side of his trailer displaying more of Haring and Thede’s work.

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