'Tis the season to give and the local branch of a major construction contractor has put up a team to give the best gift of all: blood.
Last month, Standard General became a Partner for Life with the Canadian Blood Services. This means that the company has committed itself to donating blood regularly throughout the year. The employees at SG realize the importance of donating blood, and thought they would do something collectively to help make a difference.
Moreover, they are throwing down the gauntlet as a friendly way to bring in more business for the national blood agency. Marketing manager Jake Vanderburg said that the branch is challenging other St. Albert businesses to roll up their sleeves too.
"Any company can take part in this. To donate a couple of hours every two months … is a very small price to pay to do a lot of good," he said. "Standard General is very proud to be a Partner for Life, and for doing our part in helping the lives of so many people, especially kids that need blood."
The Partner for Life program first involves a Canadian Blood Services representative who visits the office to talk about the program and the need for blood. It's pretty self-explanatory, Vanderburg admitted.
Afterward, every participant gets on the bus. The company conducted its inaugural blood drive on Oct. 24, sending 10 employees to Canadian Blood Services' regional headquarters near the University of Alberta Hospital. There, they were met by Carrie Kuzik and her son, Hunter.
The young St. Albert boy has become a bit of a spokesperson for blood donation. He has a rare blood disorder called Diamond Blackfan Anemia that requires him to get a fresh transfusion every three weeks. Now a strapping nine-year-old boy, he's had more than 150 of these transfusions so far.
To Vanderburg and the Standard General team, it was an object lesson in why they were there in the first place.
"It helped the team realize the importance of blood donation and how we could help the lives of local kids."
As new members of the program, their initial obligation was to provide 15 units of blood. They haven't set a date for the next donation but Vanderburg figured it would be just before Christmas. Donors must wait a minimum of six weeks before giving blood again.
He ended by saying that the team probably benefited more from the experience in the end. He commented that it does so much to boost one's confidence and pride in themselves. As a group, it's a great bonding experience too.
"It helps to bring everyone together. It helps us to be a good corporate citizen and it also helps us to create some teamwork and bring our guys together to fight for a common cause."
Canadian Blood Services is located at 8249 114 Street in Edmonton. Call 1-888-2-DONATE (236-6283) or visit www.blood.ca for more information.
The Bissell's phoenix slowly arises
The Bissell Centre still has some bruises after a fire destroyed its thrift shop location on 118 Ave. in early September. There was $900,000 in damages, including the building and the loss of all clothing, books and household items in stock.
The cause of the fire is still undetermined but arson has been ruled out.
The good news is that it is successfully dusting itself off and getting on with business, now that a temporary location has been set up in the same area.
The new location is soon expected to open up for business at 11817 80 Street behind the Burger Baron.
Kristen Clark, the manager of marketing and communications for the charitable organization, stated that work on the original thrift shop hasn't stopped. In fact, efforts continue on a fervent pace to get things back to operational status within a matter of only a few months.
"At the present time, the whole effort to restore the building is projected to be done by the end of February, which means hopefully we can return to our original location by the beginning of March," she stated.
Clark added that public support has been tremendous and the new location is filling up with stock. She asked for specific donations of winter clothing, as well as socks and undergarments, footwear, backpacks and purses, and linens and bed sheets. Clothing for all ages and seasons will always be accepted.
There are approximately 6,000 people and families of low income that use the thrift shop every month. Revenues from sales also fund other Bissell Centre programs like the free clothing outlet run out of its main office at 10527 96 Street.
For more information, call the centre at 780-423-2285 or visit www.bissellcentre.org.
