Tuesday, January 12, 2010

UAW local in Iowa supports blood drive

UAW members in our communities header

Photo by UAW Local 74 President Bobby Garland

UAW members donate blood in Iowa.

Pictured: UAW Local 74 Member Tracy Frymoyer donates blood at the union hall.

Blood supplies are always low. Fortunately, UAW members are always high on community service.

On Dec. 7, members of UAW Local 74 in Ottumwa, Iowa, gave a helping hand – or maybe it should be "arm" – to the Southeast Iowa Blood Center. The drive, held at the union hall, netted 18 units of blood. That's enough to help 54 patients, according to the center.

The center is the main provider of blood to the Ottumwa Regional Hospital along with the McCreery Cancer Center. The Southeast Iowa Blood Center also helps hospitals in a 50-mile radius of the community. The local, which represents Deere & Co. workers, is now looking to make the blood drive a regular event.

What's happening in your local union? If you have an item for UAW in Our Communities, please e-mail to community@uaw.org, and include a contact person, with e-mail address and daytime phone number.