The Festival Center became a hub of life-saving activity during this week's Blood Drive, which saw spots fully booked and a massive turnout from the community. Every one of the 30 appointments was claimed, reflecting the city’s commitment to giving back in a deeply impactful way. According to an article published by Duluth News, the drive was a success thanks to the collective effort of city employees — accounting for over half of the donors — and the local residents who stepped up to the challenge.
Not only did volunteers from the City's Wellness Committee provide crucial support, but individuals such as Shelley Shepphard were integral in getting the event off the ground. "A special thank you to the City’s Wellness Committee for their support, and to Shelley Shepphard for initiating this event and contributing in so many ways," acknowledged the piece by Duluth News. Danielle Ruedt was recognized for helming the volunteer squad, joined by Sherale Booker, Jessica Gross, Denise Bailey, and Adriana McCurdy, who managed tasks ranging from logistics to marketing.
The gesture of William from I.T., traveling all the way from Buffalo, NY, to donate, did not go unnoticed. "We were thrilled to have both first-time and frequent donors, including a special long-distance donor—William from I.T., who joined us all the way from Buffalo, NY!" shared Duluth News.
Local businesses also pitched in, with Chick-fil-A donating 40 chicken biscuits to keep the volunteers and donors fueled through the event. This show of operational unity between community entities and businesses, like that of Chick-fil-A's contribution, embodies the spirit of cooperation that makes such endeavors a success. The community is already showing anticipation for the next scheduled drive in May 2025, as mentioned by Duluth News: "We’re already looking forward to our next blood drive in May 2025."
