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There’s something in the cookies
Published July 5, 2009
MONROE - According to Karen Riser and Jane Scott, there are a variety of reasons their semi-annual blood drives have become so successful.
But it may all come down to the cookies.
“We make the cookies on site,” said Scott, co-organizer of the blood drives at First United Methodist Church in Monroe. “That’s why they keep coming back.”
Even as she says it, Scott can’t help but laugh at the idea. But while homemade cookies may not be the secret of their success, both Scott and Riser have watched as their blood drives have brought in more and more donors.
“It’s a big endeavor,” Scott said. “But we enjoy it.”
Since the two first started working together in 2005, they have worked to steadily increase the amount of donated blood for the American Red Cross, watching it go from 25 pints each drive to close to 80 units. Their dizzying success recently earned them recognition from the Red Cross.
“The average sponsor group holds blood drives twice a year,” said Shae Pace, who presented commemorative plaques to the organizers Tuesday. “They hold blood drives five times a year. They’re doing a great job.”
To Riser, the rising success of their drives rests on the personal touch.
“It’s been successful because it’s such a community-driven process,” Riser said. “We know all the donors. We call them and remind them each time. There’s a real relationship between us and the donors.”
Riser added the donors kept returning because of the importance of the blood drives.
“It’s important because it’s so worthwhile,” Riser said. “One pint of blood can save three lives. People realize how important it is.”
With close to 100 donors coming to each drive, and more than 80 pints of blood donated each time, the drives produce enough blood to help more than 200 people each season.
“We promote awareness here at the church and work to teach people about why this is important,” Scott said. “We’re not afraid to call people and remind them, or invite new people to come.”
Susan Hill, of Loganville, makes a point of donating blood at the church.
“I used to live down the street, so it was really convenient to come here and donate,” Hill said. “Now that I live farther away, I still always come here though. As long as they have them, I’ll do it here.”
Hill said one of the best features of Scott and Riser’s drives was how accessible they were to families.
“It’s easier here,” Hill said. “They make it kid-friendly. It’s one of the few places that lets you bring your kids.”
As the drives continues to grow, Riser and Scott said they would continue to keep it a community affair.
“It’s all about the relationships we have with the donors,” Scott said. “That makes a difference.”
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