StorageMart Helps Sponsor the American Red Cross-Heart of Missouri Chapter Lifesaver Awards
Yesterday we were fortunate enough to have the chance to recognize the efforts of a very special young person while at the same time continuing our great relationship with the Heart of Missouri Chapter of the American Red Cross as an official sponsor of their annual Lifesaver Awards.
For the second straight year, StorageMart sponsored the Blood Services Awards, given in recognition of exceptional efforts in the area of blood donation and/or collection. This year’s recipient was recent Calvary Lutheran High School (Jefferson City, MO) graduate Kara Wehemeyer.
Kara, President of the Calvary Lutheran Key Club, donated blood for the first time in April 2012 as part of the club’s annual blood drive. The experience ignited a passion within her, leading Kara to become a driving force behind her school’s support for the Red Cross. She organized blood drives, drove publicity for them, volunteered at collection events and ensured each of her classmates who donated blood was recognized for their contribution. By the end of the 2012-2013 academic year, Kara’s efforts had led to the collection of 112 units of blood.
Red Cross Expansion
The end of the school year didn’t end Kara’s enthusiasm for supporting the Red Cross. Since then she’s continued organizing and promoting blood drives, bringing the total amount collected through her efforts to 249 units.
According to the American Red Cross, each unit of donated blood can save up to three lives, meaning Kara could be responsible for saving the lives of more than 700 people. If that isn’t worthy of the Blood Services Award, and our collective respect and admiration, we’re not sure what is.
Of course, sponsoring the Lifesaver Awards is just part of StorageMart’s partnership with the Heart of Missouri Chapter of the Red Cross. In the past we’ve also joined them in sponsoring Honor Flight, a program enabling America’s veterans to travel to Washington D.C. to visit the various war memorials. StorageMart is a Ready 365 Partner, helping to assist the Red Cross in providing immediate relief to those affected by natural disaster, and the Heart of Missouri Chapter is one of our official Charity Storage partners, receiving financial assistance via the auction of self storage units set up specifically for fundraising purposes.