DAYTON, Ohio – We count our blessings this holiday season by counting 12 heroes. During the “12 Days of Christmas Blood Drive” Community Blood Center is honoring 12 “Hometown Heroes” who have defended the region’s blood supply during the dark days of the COVID-19 pandemic.

DAY 4 HOMETOWN HERO INDIAN LAKE HIGH SCHOOL: LAKER PRIDE FALL BLOOD DRIVE

We began to grasp the seriousness of the COVID-19 pandemic last spring when schools began closing. Classes were suspended for weeks, then months as the closings came like dominoes. Schools went to remote learning, and all high school blood drives were cancelled.

Schools re-opened cautiously in the fall. Closings and hybrid schedules followed as coronavirus cases surged. The fall high school blood drive schedule was tentative, with many cancellations or reduced capacity.

CBC Logan County account representative Nicole Thruston thought of all those challenges when she nominated small but mighty Indian Lake High School as a “Hometown Hero.”

“They knew that we needed blood, so they extended the hours of their blood drive to a six hour mobile and invited the community to come to the blood drive,” said Nicole. “They promoted around town and had an amazing blood drive!”

Nicole depended on the help of blood drive coordinator Deb Metzger, the Indian Lake High School Media Aide and SADD advisor.

“Our school sponsors two blood drives a year,” said Deb. “Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD) sponsors the fall blood drive. National Honor Society (NHS) sponsors the spring blood drive.”

The March 3 NHS totaled 70 donors, including 19 first-time donors. “We gathered our goal of 70 units,” said Deb. “Less than two weeks later, the school and nearly everything was shut down because of COVID-19.”

“Once we returned to school in the fall, our ILHS SADD officers felt it was important to continue with plans for the November blood drive,” said Deb. “News of blood drives being cancelled and a dwindling blood supply prompted us to see how we could help. 

“Fortunately, our administration was wonderful and very supportive, so we faced no difficulties preparing for the event.  We added two hours for the drive, put the word out and we had a very good response from students, staff, and community.”

The Indian Lake Nov. 6 blood drive totaled 61 donors, including 23 first-time donors and reached 101% of collection goal.

“We are so proud of how everyone working together, and we were able to meet our goal,” said Deb. “Thank you to everyone who had a part in the blood drive and made it such a success.  Laker Proud!”

CBC is encouraging donations during the “12 Days of Christmas” blood drive now through Saturday, Dec. 26 at the Dayton CBC.  Everyone who registers to donate at the Dayton CBC will receive a Kroger $10 gift card in addition to “Holiday Hero” face mask and “Hometown Hero” t-shirt.  Donors must make an appointment at www.DonorTime.com or by calling (937) 461-3220.

SPRINGFIELD, Ohio – Santa Clause has a light-hearted job that does occasionally require some heavy lifting. That’s especially true in this Christmas season of COVID-19. Just ask Santa and Springfield blood donor John Fleeger.

John came dressed in his full Santa outfit to make his 205^th lifetime donation Dec. 14 at the Maiden Lane Church of God monthly Springfield community blood drive.

The gift of life abounded at the blood drive. John was one of 59 whole blood donors, plus 15 platelet and plasma donors, and two COVID-19 Convalescent Plasma donors.  A new way to save lives this season is for people who have recovered from COVID-19 to donate their plasma for the treatment of critically ill coronavirus patients.

The pandemic has brought many challenges. John has remained healthy, but COVID-19 has been bad for business.  His tent and awning company has suffered because of so many cancelled festivals, weddings and other large gatherings.  The Santa business has been even worse.

“Last year I worked as Santa at the Woodland Lights in Centerville,” he said. “I think had the bulk of the nights. That was all cancelled.”

He has kept Christmas cheer by volunteering to appear as Santa at some small, charitable events.  Donating at Maiden Lane seemed like a good way to brighten the blood drive for Maiden Lane donors and make his own regular blood donation.

It was necessary to add a face mask to his Santa attire and John owns several.  He chose a bright red mask with a frosty white beard design to donate, and it couldn’t contain all the natural gray whiskers sprouting below his chin.

He does have his Santa memories to keep him warm this holiday season. For example, he’s been the official Santa at two Christmas surprise marriage proposals.

“Somebody from the family gave me the heads up,” he said. “The family was crowded into the cabin at Woodland Lights. He pulled out the ring and proposed and they all got family pictures with Santa.”

The next proposal took even more planning. “The other guy put in his own lights,” he said. “When he pulled out the ring and proposed to her, they lit up, ‘Will you marry me?’”

Sometimes playing Santa comes with scare. It was SICSA pet night at the Santa display when he was confronted by three pit bulls. “I thought, ‘Oh, so Santa is going to be a chew toy!’”

John first played Santa while serving in the Air National Guard. “Santa would arrive in the cockpit of an F-16,” he said. “We backed up to the hanger and the kids would be there waiting for presents.”

But he also has fond memories of a simpler mode of Santa transportation from a Christmas past. “I’ve been on firetrucks,” he said. “But I always remember being on a horse-drawn sled many years ago.”

After donating there was no springing up the chimney for John.  He left quietly, crossing through the dark to his vehicle in the parking lot.  But in this classic appearance as Santa, he disappeared into the night leaving behind a priceless gift for someone in need of a Christmas miracle.