Blood Bank & Campgrounds Plan to Boost Summer Blood Supply

GRAND RAPIDS, MI (April 16, 2009): With the camping season close at hand, the Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds–Michigan and Michigan Blood are putting the finishing touches on plans to bring the chance to save lives close to Michigan campers by holding blood drives at ARVC-member campgrounds across the state, in the second annual ARVC Summer Blood Drive Campaign.

According to Tom Briggs, ARVC-Michigan Marketing Committee Chairperson and owner of Grand Rogue Campground in Grand Rapids, the May-September blood drive effort this year will expand on the success of the inaugural campaign, in 2008, which involved 14 blood drives at 9 member campgrounds and recruited a total of 258 prospective blood donors, including 98 people who registered as blood donors for the very first time.

This year, nearly twice as many parks have signed up – 16 so far – to host 22 blood drives collectively, including several on the Memorial Day, Independence Day, and Labor Day holiday weekends, which traditionally are very high-need times for the community blood supply.

All of the ARVC members’ drives will be open to campground guests as well as the general public. The goal this year is to have at least 20 people donate at each of the drives.

“Summer is always a really high-need time, because many donors are on vacation or busy with seasonal activities,” says Kona Kenny, recruiter for Michigan Blood in West Michigan. “But the need for blood never goes away, so keeping the community blood supply strong is a big challenge. We had a great time working with ARVC members last year, and we expect this year will be even better.”

Hospitals in four major regions of the state count on Michigan Blood for 100 percent of their regular blood supply. After these hospitals have all the blood they need, Michigan Blood regularly shares blood to help meet other needs across the state and nation, including the US military, upon request.

ARVC-Michigan represents some 225+ member campgrounds with more than 32,000 sites available throughout the state. ARVC-Michigan’s mission is to lead in the development of the RV Parks and Campground industry through education, communication, and representation. ARVC Michigan is a member of the National Association of RV Parks & Campgrounds (www.gocampingamerica.com).

Blood drives scheduled in this year’s ARVC Summer Blood Drive Campaign include the following:

May 16 (Sat) Noon – 4
Hidden Ridge
2306 12th Street
Hopkins, MI 49328
Saturday, August 15th  12-4

May 23 (Sat) 9 am to 1 pm
River Ridge Campground
1987 W. Pine River Road
Breckenridge MI 48615

May 23 (Sat) 10 am to 3 pm
Grand Rogue Campground & Paddlesports
6400 W. River Road NE
Belmont, MI 49306

May 23 (Sat) 10 am to 2 pm
Lakeside Camp Park
13677 White Creek Avenue
Cedar Springs, MI 49319

May 23 (Sat) Noon to 5
Lincoln Pines Resort
13033 19 Mile Rd.
Gowen, MI 49326
Friday, July 3rd 12-5

June 13 (Sat) 11 am to 2:15 pm
Duke Creek Campground
15190 White Creek Avenue
Cedar Springs, MI 49319

July 3 (Fri) time TBD
Grand Rogue Campground & Paddlesports
6400 W. River Road NE
Belmont, MI 49306

July 3 (Fri) Noon – 5
Lincoln Pines Resort
13033 19 Mile Rd.
Gowen, MI 49326

July 11 (Sat) – time TBD
River Ridge RV Resort
22265 8 Mile Rd
Canadian Lakes, MI 49346

July 16 (Thurs) 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Rose Lake Park
17726 Youth Drive
LeRoy, MI 49655

July 17 (Fri) 5 pm to 9 pm
Lake of Dreams Campground
1000 S. Fenmore Rd
Merrill, MI 48637
 
July 25 (Sat) 11 am to 4 pm
East Lake Camping
3091 Weick Drive
Hopkins, MI 49328

July 25 (Sat) Noon – 4
Whispering Waters Campground & Canoe Livery
1805 North Irving Road
Hastings, MI 49058

August 1 (Sat) 8 am to 1 pm
South Haven Family Campground
03403 64th Street
South Haven, MI 49090
15% off next stay if you donate

August 8 (Sat) Noon – 4
Hungry Horse Campground
2016 142nd St.
Dorr, MI 49323

August 15 (Sat) Noon – 4
Hidden Ridge
2306 12th Street
Hopkins, MI 49328

August 19 (Wed) 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Critenden Park
3641 S. 50th Ave.
Sears, MI 49679

August 22 (Sat) 8 am to 1 pm
Coloma/St.Joseph KOA
3527 Coloma Road
Riverside, MI 49084

September 5 (Sat) 10 am to 2 pm
Lakeside Camp Park
13677 White Creek Avenue
Cedar Springs, MI 49319

September 5 (Sat) Noon – 5
Lincoln Pines Resort
13033 19 Mile Rd.
Gowen, MI 49326

September 5 (Sat) 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
River Pines RV Park
8275 Warner
Allendale, MI 48401

September 6 (Sun) time TBD
Grand Rogue Campground & Paddlesports
6400 W. River Road NE
Belmont, MI 49306

© Michigan Blood