Blood drive organizer honored

For the past decade, Ted Little, student affairs adviser at Universal Technical Institute in Glendale Heights, has spent time each year planning, organizing and recruiting students to participate in the school’s annual blood drive.

The Mount Prospect resident recently was recognized for his dedication and outstanding results when he was presented with the Best School Drive Coordinator Award by the Illinois Coalition of Community Blood Centers. During the past 10 years, he has helped bring in more than 4,000 donations for Heartland Blood Centers, which serves 47 hospitals in 12 counties throughout the state.

Through the annual blood drive, UTI-Glendale Heights students have contributed to the region. One donation can help save up to three lives, according to the American Red Cross. Little attributes the success of the school’s annual drive to involving the entire campus and visiting every classroom.

“The drive is always a good day and the students are always happy throughout the event,” said Little, who believes that opportunities to give back to the community are one way that UTI instills professionalism in its students. “For more than 12 hours, our students line up to donate their blood and offer support to each other.”

In the statement announcing the honor, the ICCB noted that the award is presented to someone, “who selflessly offers their time, talents and energy to recruiting donors on behalf of patients in need.”

To learn more about Universal Technical Institute, visit us at www.uti.edu.