Ohio post leads community blood donation drive

In Coldwater, Ohio, Patriotism Post 470 hosted a community blood drive where the Red Cross collected 75 units of blood on April 13. “I am just tickled to death by the turnout,” Post Commander Ralph Pottkotter said. “The village of Coldwater is pretty good about these. The citizens are always ready to help out.”

While the post coordinates quarterly blood drives this one was noticeably different due to the safety precautions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pottkotter was among the donors, who were appointment-only. He said they were met one by one at the door by a staff member for a temperature check. After being cleared, donors would proceed normally to register, get their blood pressure checked and other preliminary procedures.

But the donation area was noticeably different. The Red Cross spaced all the chairs and donor stations at least 8 to 10 feet apart, Pottkotter said, noting that after every appointment all the chairs and surfaces had to be wiped down. “They were pretty meticulous. All the staff wore masks,” he said.

It’s one example of how the Department of Ohio is working with the Red Cross to continue blood drives.

The headquarters office is hosting a blood drive at 60 Big Run Road, Delaware, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 17. Local American Legion Family and community members are encouraged to schedule their appointment by visiting redcrossblood.org and enter “Legion” as the sponsor code.

Throughout the department, there are at least 13 American Legion posts that have scheduled a combined total of 29 blood drives through Dec. 31. Among those coming up:

• Leo Post 58 in Somerset, 1 to 7 p.m. April 16.

• St. Henry Post 648, St. Henry, 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. April 29.

• Harold L. Bradley Post 584, Marion, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 14.