Blood drive at Big Oyster helps offset summer donation shortfall
Big Oyster Brewery filled up all 35 appointments for its Blood for a Brew Summer Tour blood drive held June 21 at the Lewes restaurant.
It was a wonderful way to celebrate the Summer Solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and the first day of astronomical summer.
This was the second Blood for a Brew Drive held this summer and, like the May 19 event at Revelation Beer Garden in Milton, it filled up all its appointments.
“I know Delaware needs blood. We all need blood. Why not help?” said Big Oyster Brewery Manager Shayne Blankenship, blood drive coordinator. “Last year, we had two buses in one day, and it worked out really well. This year we could only have one bus at a time, so we’re doing two [blood drives]. We’re part of this community, and we’re always looking to help out.”
Among the donors at Big Oyster Brewery on Tuesday was Karen Blood (yes, her family name is Blood). “This is fun because my family is here. I can donate, and then we’ll have lunch,” she said.
Brittnee Rohls was also among those donating at Big Oyster Brewery on Tuesday. “I haven’t done it in a while, and I know they’re really short right now,” Rohls said. “I used to do it a lot until motherhood and a job.”
Jaime Swartz signed up for the famous Blood for a Brew T-shirt and the brewery coupon. “I give blood as much as I can, but this is an extra bonus,” Swartz said. “This is my second year in a row coming here.”
Dina Watson said this was also her second summer donating at Big Oyster Brewery’s Blood for a Brew event. “I usually give blood all the time. This is fun and something different,” Watson said. “I got the email again.”
Blood Bank of Delmarva Account Manager Ralph Groves was happy with the turnout.
“Big Oyster and Fins restaurants have always contributed generously to BBD,” Groves said. “We held drives at Big Oyster before Blood for a Brew and used those drives as the model for the promotion. The owner, Jeff Hamer, his wife Kim and their staff are wonderful to work with and always make it a success!”
This is the second straight year that BBD is holding the Blood for a Brew Summer Tour in an effort to make up for the donation shortfall that typically occurs during the summer months. All of the breweries and establishments from last year are back, including Revelation, Dogfish Head, Big Oyster Brewery, Tall Tales, Crooked Hammock, Two Stones Pub and Camp Adventureland. Camp Adventureland in particular allowed BBD to market the summer blood drive tour to donors younger than 21. All of the breweries helped BBD repackage the “pint for a pint” theme. New to the fold this year is Liquid Alchemy Beverages, and TD Bank is back this year as the Blood for a Brew primary sponsor.
Go to DelmarvaBlood.org for more information.
