Mundelein Fire Department hosts blood drive

College student Katherine Schlebecker of Mundelein, home for winter break, was spending time with her dad, Al, by donating blood Saturday at Mundelein Fire Department Station No. 1.

Schlebecker, a student at Drake University in Des Moines, says she donates blood once a semester at school, and as often as she can when she is home and blood drives are held.

“I love to donate blood,” Schlebecker said, speaking of how blood donations save lives. “You feel pretty good when you’re done, and I get to come with my dad, so that’s a plus.”

The Mundelein Fire Department and the Salvation Army kicked off 2014 with the Everyday Heroes Blood Drive.

Mundelein Fire Chief Tim Sashko said that because of the winter weather, he expected 65-70 people to donate blood during the event at the station, located at 1000 N. Midlothian Road. Most of the department’s blood drives collect 80-130 units, the chief said.

Firefighters also collected coats and other household items for the Salvation Army.

Anyone who donated blood was entered in a drawing for an autographed photo of Chicago Blackhawks center Andrew Shaw. Gift certificates for free pizzas at a local restaurant were given away, too.