The Fayetteville Chamber of Commerce is proud to present our “Chamber Champions” series. In 2017, our Chamber team will be volunteering over 250 hours at local non-profits throughout Northwest Arkansas. We are proud to support our non-profits and hope our efforts will inspire our Chamber members to reach out in our community and volunteer.
On May 16th, I had the chance to help Community Blood Center of the Ozarks at their donor center in Bentonville, AR. I had become more familiar with the CBCO through networking events at our Fayetteville Chamber, and quickly discovered that the need for blood and donors continues to grow. Our chamber has been able to help spread the word about the need for donors through our email newsletters recently, but I thought I would take it one step further and help them out for the day.
Community Blood Center of the Ozarks was founded by local medical professionals and community leaders in 1995. For over 20 years, they have been supplying blood locally; they now are the blood provider for 40 hospitals in three states: Arkansas, Missouri, and Kansas. Donors can give blood at the donor centers, or schedule an appointment at their Mobile drives throughout the service area.
One unique program CBCO has for its donors is the LifePoints Reward Program. Donors earn points every time they give, and they can redeem their points for gift cards from such businesses as Amazon, Starbucks, or Andy’s Frozen Custard. Or they can donate their points to local non-profits, such as the NWA Food Bank or the Ronald McDonald House.
My only duty during my day at the Donor Center was to take care of each donor who came in. I greeted them and asked them to read the disclosure prior to giving. Once their donation was complete, I got them drinks and snacks, and kept them company while they waited to be released (donors must stay at the center for a minimum of 10 minutes after giving before they can leave). I got to meet some wonderful people, including a mother-daughter duo who gives blood together to give back to our community. I was glad to help CBCO, and personally thank the donors that day.
For more information about the Community Blood Center of the Ozarks, or to schedule a time to give blood and give back, please visit their website at www.cbco.org. Or visit either Northwest Arkansas Donor Center: Springdale Donor Center, 3503 S. Thompson, 479-927-1200, or Bentonville Donor Center at the Shops at the Forum, 1400 SE Walton Blvd., 479-464-2506.