Wheaton Midas Shop to reward blood donors Dec. 20 with free oil change

Wheaton Midas Auto Service & Tire owner Jerry Creamer recognizes opportunity when he sees it. Creamer recalls that at a recent Midas convention, a Virginia owner was heralded for his community service - he hosts multiple blood drives at his Midas locations - while also breaking area sales records.

So when LifeSource Account Manager Rich Ricchio visited Creamer's Midas shop recently to discuss a possible blood drive, the owner was immediately intrigued.

"I asked Rich how I could help," Creamer says. "He reminded me that the winter is the slowest time for blood donations because of inclement weather and donors going on winter vacations," the Midas owner adds. "To me, this was a call to action."

Creamer also hoped to reward his customers as a way of saying "thanks."

Customers who visit roll up their sleeves and donate blood from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 20, at Creamer's two Midas shops - 1420 E. Roosevelt Road, Wheaton, and 130 W. Roosevelt Road, West Chicago - will receive a free oil change voucher.

A LifeSource mobile coach will be parked in each of the shop's parking lots. According to LifeSource, Illinois' largest blood center, every unit of blood helps to support up to three lives.

Appointments for the blood drive are preferred, but all walk-ins are welcome. Donors can schedule their appointment by calling LifeSource at (877) 543-3768 or visiting www.lifesource.org.

Blood donors must be at least 17 years old (or 16 years old with parental consent).

Along with hosting daily blood drives, LifeSource operates 19 community donor centers and 4 fixed sites with regular operating days and hours. In preparation for their donation, donors are asked to eat well, stay hydrated and arrive with proper identification.