Plush is popular this time of year (and all year ‘round for that matter)!

Several blood centers use plush bears, puppies and even blood drops as part of holiday campaigns during which they deliver the plush animals to patients in local children’s hospitals. Donors are often encouraged to sign a card to accompany the stuffed animals and thus are able to make a real connection to how important their donation really is!

Embroidered with BLOOD HOUND across their bellies, plush dogs are a great way to thank sponsors and coordinators for their unique role in the blood program. Simply pair this plush blood hound with a thank you card as a gift for these special volunteers at the holidays or at your annual recognition event.

Several of our clients also use the plush blood hounds to target blood drive sponsors for increased drive frequency in a high-energy direct mail campaign. The Blood Hound Campaign sends a plush blood hound, an awareness card and a blood center CEO letter to key donor groups asking a lifesaving question in a fun way… “Will you host one additional blood drive this year?” Our blood hounds are available with an awareness card which can be customized with your logo and campaign message. All you’ll need to add is your CEO’s letter and postage. It’s a great campaign to launch at the beginning of a new year and sets your recruiters up for success!

Plush blood drops are always a hit in elementary schools as part of educational programs. The students get an introduction to the importance of blood and then participate in recruiting adults to donate. Taking home one of these blood drops in a great reminder to them and their parents long after that blood drive is over.

Call us for more ways to strategically position plush to increase awareness, collect more blood and show your gratitude!

January 2011 is quickly approaching and it’s not too early to start planning for National Blood Donor Month. As you know, most blood centers have a difficult time keeping any more than a three-day supply of blood on their shelves and the winter months really seem to take a hit on the blood supply due to the holidays, constant travel, inclement weather conditions and different illness.

This January make it your center’s goal to encourage donors to give or pledge to give blood at least four times in 2011. We know that you will be having blood drives in January and this would be a perfect time to get that commitment from your donors.

And also, why not do something special and recognize all the donors who come in that month with a special NBDM gift. These specialty gifts are not only to recognize donors during the month but they can also be a wonderful recruiting item. People always like to be associated with winners and blood donors are definitely winners in the eye of the public.

If you have any questions or would like to discuss more, please contact me at roz@donorgifts.com or 317-575-3358.

You can also see other NBDM ideas here.

10. Standing on street corners in all kinds of weather and traffic putting up “blood drive” signs.

9. Driving  all over the area to meet with “blood drive chairpeople”

8. Eating at all the fast food restaurants on the way to blood drives.

7. Coming up with the “right convincing words” to enlist adequate numbers of blood donors to assure an adequate blood supply.

6. Always having a full trunk of goodies for advertising and thank-you gifts.

5. Holding teenagers hands through their first blood donation.

4. Having the opportunity to educate people about the need for blood and how to overcome their “fear”.

3. Choosing recognition gifts for blood drive chairpeople.

2. Meeting some of the nicest, most generous people in the world.

And the #1……

Going to work everyday knowing that you are in a job to “save lives”

If your donors are the type that still love to receive t-shirts, then why not add a bit of umph to the traditional donor gift by offering long sleeve tee’s?
The cost of a long sleeve t-shirt isn’t much more than a classic tee, making it an affordable way to draw in donors during more critical collection times. Imprinting on long sleeve tee’s offers the ultimate in versatility. Unique printing options, like art down one sleeve or a Jumbo print, on a long sleeve tee are sure to see some serious wear.