West Dundee hosting Heartland Blood Centers drive

Blood donations drop in the summer months.

With school out, it becomes tougher to find a place where donors can conveniently go to give blood.

But for the second straight year, West Dundee officials will do what they can to try to fill the void.

The village will sponsor a Heartland Blood Centers blood drive. The organization will take donations from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Public Safety Center No. 2, 100 Carrington Drive.

Village president Larry Keller said the goal is to surpass last year's total of 41 pints.

"I think it's a really valuable thing to do," Keller said. "It's a gift of life we can offer to other people."

Keller said he has donated blood for the past 15-20 years.

Trustees Norm Osth and Becky Gillam will volunteer at the drive, helping people fill out paper work before they give the blood.

"I think it's important to get the community involved," Gillam said. "It's important for anyone during those hours who can make it to donate."

Keller said Osth's and Gillam's contribution show the dedication village employees have to their activities.

"We have a lot of good people," Keller said. "Last year, we also had a lot of village employees give up their time."

Keller said he has been fortunate because neither he nor his family have ever needed blood. But that didn't change the importance.

"It can really be a valuable commodity to people who need the blood," he said. "You just don't know. It could be me tomorrow."

Although walk-ins are welcome and encouraged - last year's drive had many more walk-ins than scheduled donors - those interested can set up a time to arrive.

To schedule a time to give blood, call Lori Sue at village hall, (847)551-3800.