Just a few weekends ago, it was time to FALL BACK to Standard Time. As we enjoy the long winter days full of snow, the holidays and the smell of hot chocolate & chili, it’s not to early to start thinking about Spring. Winter never seems too long when you can actually start planning for the warmer weather. Depending on the region where you live, with the Spring usually comes rain. But that’s OK; because Spring showers bring beautiful flowers. So be ready for your donors this spring with colorful fun umbrellas. What a perfect way to display and show off your blood centers logo. Not only are they nice to look at but the are functional and everybody can use an umbrella.

We offer a variety of styles and colors. If you would like to get more information umbrellas or any other Spring donor gifts, please contact Roz @ 317-575-3358 or roz@donorgifts.com

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.

With Halloween being on a Sunday this year, why not partner with your local theater on Halloween weekend and have a community blood drive.

Saw 3D® will open October 29, 2010 and what a creative way to incorporate some fun into your blood drive.

Blood centers traditionally use Halloween as a great way to promote the blood center. It allows you to let your hair down and enjoy the day wit h your donors.

Have your staff dress out in a special promotion t-shirts or as their favorite Halloween character. Serve some fun red punch and maybe some different Halloween themed cookies.

Also ask your theater to donate tickets, special discount and/or refreshments to all donors who donate blood during that weekend.

And don’t forget to get your local media involved.

If your blood center sponsored a special “Eclipse”  theme blood drive earlier this summer when the new “Twilight” saga  was released, those donors are prime for the sticking so why not pull up a list and invite them to come back and donate if they haven’t already.

We have used so many taglines over the years; Drain Your Vein, We’re Out For Blood, Blood Shortages Suck and so many more. This year we simply want to say this “Fang-Tastic Blood Donor” http://www.donorgifts.com/item.php?id=A-10-0125 check out this designs and more designs on www.donorgifts.com

Happy Halloween!!!

I know that high school blood drives are definitely on the blood drive calendars for this fall and they are a sure way to recruit new blood donors. But what about the elementary and middle schools in your area? Of course, I know they can’t donate but the faculty, parents and the community can come out and support these drives. It’s a simple way to fill in blood drives to the holes on your calendar. Children are some of the best recruiters in the world and introducing the community blood program to them is also a great educational tool.
If you don’t already have an elementary blood donor program in place at your blood center, this 2010-2011 school year would be a great time to start.

As a former recruiter, I spent many of my days rallying up the troops at the local elementary schools.
I would start by contacting the principal(s) to set up a day for the blood drive.

After that, I would schedule a day with the school(s) to see when I could come and speak with the children.

I preferred a pep rally setting where I would have our blood drop mascot accompany me so that he could meet the students. After a short presentation to the students on how they can help save lives by recruiting an adult to come to donate at the blood drive, I would tell them what neat gift they would get for being “HEROES”. Gift Ideas varied from pencils to t-shirts. Fortunately, this school year we have one of the most popular items available in the market, BANDZ. These are exciting youngsters all over the place. We also have t-shirts to compliment the bands. If the BANDZ are not your thing, we have plenty of gifts that children would love.

And the last thing, make this a FUN event so the kids, faculty and parents will be ready to host another blood drive next time around.

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

Also those of you who would like to share your ideas, please do so by chiming in and your name will be entered into a drawing for a one week rental of ½ Pint, our blood drop mascot.

Marsh Regional Blood Center is Kingsport, TN is joining forces with its local movie theater to help save lives this summer.

On the night that “Eclipse”, the 3^rd movie from “The Twilight Saga”  is released they will be hosting a blood drive between the two showings.

Don Campbell, Director of the blood center says that their partnership with the theater has been successful in the past.

The theater even offers refreshments and special seating to all blood donors who donate or show to donate blood that evening.

Now that’s a way to incorporate some fun at the blood drive and save lives while doing it.

So if you have a space to fill on your blood drive calendar this summer why not contact your local movie theater and create this partnership for life.

Breast cancer awareness is commonly recognized in the month of October. We all come together and show our support for those who have been affected by this disease.

One of the many ways the community shows support is by wearing pink in the form of ribbons, apparel and ball caps to name a few.

Even guys are donning their pink in support…

This October will be a perfect time to show support by having your staff wear pink t-shirts on special days or at special blood drives.

Have a special lapel pin designed for staff, volunteers and donors that they can wear the entire month.

You can also give each donor a special PINK donor gift starting October 1 through October 31 .

Design a special banner to place outside of blood centers or blood drives.

October is the perfect time to celebrate life and to show your support.

Don’t forget to THINK PINK!!!

To me, lapel pins are like mini awards or trophies.

When you see people wearing them and you ask them about it, they are always ready to let you know exactly what they did to get it.

Working as a donor recruiter and now as a donor recognition consultant, I’ve learned that blood donors are no different.

I was visiting a blood center a few years ago and when I arrived, there was a volunteer there to sign me in.

As I was signing the guest register, I noticed the many lapel pin on this gentleman’s lanyard.

After I finished signing in, I had to ask him about his collection of pins. As his eyes widened he was excited to proudly tell me how he got “all” his pins.

I’m so glad that  I arrived early for my appointment.

Donors take pride in their achievements and reaching those key milestones.

Whether it’s recognizing gallon donors, holiday heroes or automated donors, lapel pins are highly versatile, professional looking, easy to create and a very economical and affordable donor gift.

For more information or to create a custom lapel pin for your donors, please contact me at 1-800-536-1235 or email me.

As minority populations continue to grow, there is an increased need for both African American and Hispanic American blood donors. Answering the call to recruit and retain these donors is often challenging—even for the largest blood centers.  For smaller blood centers, the challenge is greater still.

Our Blood Matters™ is a simple, turnkey solution for Minority Donor Marketing. It offers the marketing tools you need, in a prepackaged campaign. And it comes with the recruitment expertise from me.  I have an extensive background in minority recruitment, I know your plight and I’m here to help.

For more information, visit OurBloodMatters.com.

Wouldn’t it be nice if today’s blood donors knew the day they once again become eligible to donate blood?

The 56 Day Countdown Timer Keychain can do just that!

Following a donation, simply pull the activation tag and the 56 Day Countdown Timer begins the countdown toward the donor’s next donation. After the 56 days have transpired, a blinking light will let the donor know it’s time to donate once more!

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