Edwards Communities is proud to announce that The Barn earned first place in the American Red Cross’s Life Sharing Challenge in the fitness/recreation category!
The American Red Cross’s Life Sharing Challenge is an annual competition where participating organizations earn points over a given year based on the number of drives they host, the success of the drives, drives held during holidays or summer months, employee participation and the number of first-time donors.
From July 2016 – June 2017, The Barn hosted four blood drives, and collected 88 whole blood units and two double red cell units, earning 140 total points. The Barn was recognized at The American Red Cross’s Life Sharing Challenge awards event on September 21, which honored more than 70 organizations for their blood collections last year. There were 22 first place awards and 19 categories.
Edwards Communities has been hosting blood drives for the American Red Cross since 2006. They were hosted annually from 2006-2008; three times a year from 2009-2014; and in response to a growing need, were hosted quarterly in 2015.
The blood drives are held in the community room at The Barn, are heavily promoted internally, and consistently recruit first time donors. The Barn rewards each donating member with a gift card that can be redeemed for food and beverages at The Barn.
Since 2006, Edwards Communities has donated 553 pints of blood to the American Red Cross, which can potentially save 1,659 lives.
Edwards Communities would like to thank and recognize Jane Powell, manager of The Barn, for her efforts in coordinating the blood drives with The American Red Cross. She promotes the drives company-wide, and has helped to secure a sizeable, consistent donor turnout. We’d also like to thank our employees and members who have generously volunteered to donate blood, giving the gift of life.
Edwards Communities is proud to partner with the American Red Cross in their 125-year strong movement of service, and provide a way for members and employees to give back to the local community.
We hope to see you at our next blood drive, which will be held on October 9 from 2 p.m. – 8 p.m. at The Barn. Appointments are available, and walk-ins are welcome. Please help us support The American Red Cross, who is in critical need of donations due to the active hurricane season.