Financial Donors

Turning Cans Into Cash for Charity…
Bill and Lorraine O’Connor host blood drives at the Bay Indies Manufactured Home Park in Venice during their seasonal residency—having volunteered in this capacity for four years. Combined, the couple has donated more than 13 gallons of blood. Bill says “We believe strongly in donating blood. Contrary to belief, it’s not a painful ordeal. There’s a certain amount of pride in encouraging others to donate blood. Especially when you consider what one pint can do.”

Volunteering to host blood drives is just part of the O’Connor's civic duty. The couple is one of eight other teams who also raise money for their park and for various charities through their Can Club. Every Friday, for the last ten years, Bill and Lorraine go through a section of their park and collect aluminum cans from residents. The park residents have the process down pat, collecting and then sorting. Most of the money gathered from the cans goes to help with their neighborhood upkeep projects. Any remaining amount benefits the charities of their choice. These cans have turned into cash for Suncoast Communities Blood Bank, the American Red Cross, Salvation Army and Hospice.

The O’Connor's, on behalf of Bay Indies Manufactured Home Park, contributed $600 in 2007 to support the operations of the Blood Bank. SCBB is very thankful and honored that the O’Connor's and Bay Indies choose to support our lifesaving mission with their financial gifts and encouraging others to donate blood. Thank you.

Allstate Helping Hands Grant
In March, Suncoast Communities Blood Bank received a $500 charitable donation from Brian Kolba, LUTCF, Agency Principal of Kolba Agency, Inc. on behalf of Allstate Insurance Company.
 
Mr. Kolba nominated SCBB for an Allstate Helping Hands Grant, which allows Allstate employees to give monetary gifts to charitable organizations for which they volunteer their time. Mr. Kolba has been a volunteer with Suncoast Communities since 2005 and has helped with special events and outreach efforts. He also voluntarily gives of his time by donating blood. Suncoast Communities Blood Bank is appreciative of this gift and values Mr. Kolba’s time and talents. He contributes wholeheartedly to making the community a better place by advancing the lifesaving message about the importance of blood donations.

Road Ready
Thanks to a generous grant from The Harry Sudakoff Foundation, SCBB will refurbish its 1983 bloodmobile and equip it with state-of-the-art blood collection instruments. The blood mobile, known as Will’n will be back on the road in a few months and should provide another ten years of productive service.

Spreading the word
Among the greatest challenges SCBB faces in recruiting and retaining donors is that the public is not aware that the need for blood is constant. Our hospitals cannot save lives without a safe and reliable supply of blood 365 days a year. Getting SCBB’s message out to the general public is now easier due to the generosity of Alice Rau. Understanding the important work we do, Mrs. Rau funded the creation of a powerful video featuring local blood donors, recipients and physicians. We urge you to take 5 minutes to watch this very moving video. Consider sharing the video with your friends, family and neighbors. Spread the word.