One Drive Well Worth the Trip

Tony and Bill of Vons are leading the effort to raise supplies for members of our Armed Services this Saturday at the supermarket.

This Saturday, May 30, there is one drive that’s worth the trip!

In the new Commons Shopping Center, Vons will be conducting a Military Care Package Drive. Vons Manager Bill Drayer is spearheading the effort in honor of Memorial Day this month.

The easiest way to donate is to grab an item or two that you would like to donate during your normal shopping at The Commons and then drop the goods off in the Care Package Basket at Vons. Items needed are many and include:  anti-fungus foot cream, crew socks, finger/toe nail clippers, disposable razors, dental floss, toothpaste, deodorant, magazines, black ink pens, #6 envelopes, writing paper, AA batteries, black electrical tape, black permanent markers, Ziploc baggies, breakfast or protein bars, breath mints or gum, beef jerky, nuts, phone cards, disposal cameras and many more items.

Vons also has a very personal connection to the drive. Cory Hiltz, who was the first and only soldier from La Verne to be killed in Iraq, had worked in the old Von’s as a courtesy clerk when he was attending Lutheran High School. In his honor, Mr. Drayer and the Vons staff are watching over Cory’s military banner just south of Foothill on Wheeler by keeping the site clean and the flowers fresh throughout the year.

Earlier in the week, the Office Depot/Orchard Suppy shopping center, located in the 2200 block of Foothill Blvd, hosted a blood drive, with many participating merchants, including Micky’s Jewelry Studio and Rubio’s  handing out gifts, gift cards and other tokens of appreciation to people contibuting to the effort.

If you missed the opportunity to donate, plan on participating the next time the bloodmobile pulls up in La Verne.

Your contribution is important because every day approximately 38,000 pints of blood are needed for patients in need. Even when collections are at 100 percent of the planned level nationwide, there is only about a one-week supply in the nation’s blood banks.

When the donations are even slightly lower, at 95 percent of the planned level, there could be a shortage of some types of blood components. Thus, to ensure an adequate blood supply to meet patient need, it is important that all healthy, eligible people donate blood regularly, Micky’s Jewelry’s Ms. Rehm noted. For further information, see the 10 Q&As below addressing blood donation.

Micky Rehm, owner of Micky's Jewelry Studio in La Verne, was one of the participating sponsors of the Bloodmobile that passed through town earlier in the week.

Common Questions and Concerns about Blood Donation

1. “I’m afraid.”
A lot of people are scared the first time, but after you make one donation, you’ll wonder why you ever hesitated. There’s really nothing to it!

2. “How many people donate blood?”
Only 5% of the population donates blood. If just 10% of the population would donate, it would very possibly eliminate all blood shortages.

3. “Do you need my type of blood?”
Donations of ALL blood types are needed. The rarest blood is the type not available when it’s needed.

4. “Would you want my blood even though I’ve had an illness or am taking medication?”
If you have any doubts about your eligibility to donate, you can discuss them with someone from the Blood Drive staff. Most people who feel they can’t give blood because of a medical condition or medication are surprised to find out they CAN donate safely for local patients.

5. “Do I have enough blood to spare?”
If you are healthy and weigh at least 110 pounds, you have 10-12 pints in your body and can easily spare one pint. You should be able to donate regularly every eight weeks without any problem. The fluids in your body are completely replaced 24 hours after donation.

6. “I’m afraid of getting AIDS through blood donation.”
There is no way you can be exposed to the AIDS virus by donating blood. All needles and equipment are pre-packaged, sterile and disposable. The blood bank is under strict regulation and nothing is ever re-used on another donor.

7. “I have low iron blood, can I still donate?”
A sample of your blood is checked before every donation. If your iron is low, you might be asked to donate at a later date. Most of the time, low iron is only temporary.

8. “I heard it hurts. What can I do to be the best prepared to donate?”

Most donors say they barely felt anything and they describe blood donation as a slight pinch on the inside of your arm. Eating a good meal and hydrating yourself with caffeine-free drinks helps to make sure your donation experience is a positive one.

9. Will I feel weak for the rest of the day?

Your body will bein to replace the blood you donated immediately. After some cookies and juice, most people resume their regular activities after donating.

10. I’m too busy to donate.

We understand your extremely busy. One out of five people who enter a hospital will need a blood transfustion. Blood donation is the act of giving life. Although the whole process can take up to an hour of your time, it can provide a lifetime for a local patient.