Shoppers Help LifeSource Exceed Goal At Blood in Memory of Grocery store Butcher

Setting a goal is always important. Exceeding it is always great.

That was the sentiment by LifeSource officials shortly after the final donor passed through the mobile unit that had set up shop on August 9 in the parking lot of The Grand Food Center on Green Bay Rd. in Winnetka.

Officials with the neighborhood grocery store had reached out to LifeSource back in July with a request: to honor longtime butcher, Jim Griffin, who lost his battle to cancer earlier this year, with a blood drive.

"Jim was beloved by our entire staff, as well as hundreds of our loyal shoppers who've been supporting our neighborhood grocery stores for nearly 30 years," said catering manager Tim Lichter of Palatine.

Although it was his day off, Lichter was one of the nearly 30 donors who came out to support the drive.

"Hosting that blood drive was a fitting tribute to Jim, as well as a way for our shoppers to help others like Jim who are currently in need of life-saving blood transfusions," added Lichter. "It is one of the easiest ways to help save a life."

Donors who pre-registered receive a Chicago Blackhawks collectable coffee table book courtesy of The Grand, along with a coupon redeemable for $10 off their next visit to the grocery store.

For more information or to schedule an appointment to donate contact LifeSource at (877) 543-3768, or visit www.lifesource.org; select Donate Blood then Make an Appointment.