RICHMOND, VA--November 8, 2012: Four Midas Service Centers in the Richmond area are trading oil changes for blood donations to support Hurricane Sandy victims in New York and New Jersey. On Saturday, November 10, Midas of Richmond is teaming up with Virginia Blood Services to take donations. Each donor will receive a certificate for a free oil change to be used at any of the Richmond area Midas stores. The initiative is part of Midas' "Neighbors Helping Neighbors" program.
“We know from experience that together the citizens of Central Virginia, VBS and Midas can deliver a meaningful supply of blood on short notice.”
According to the American Red Cross, New York and New Jersey are suffering from very high levels of demand for blood and an acute shortage of donors in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Midas and Virginia Blood Services, which partner in six blood drives a year for hospitals in Central Virginia, will ensure that all blood donated during the November 10 drives will be redirected to New York and New Jersey.
Mark Smith, owner of the Midas Service Centers in Richmond, is busy getting his staff and resources ready for what likely will be their largest blood drive yet. "Normally, we see 400 to 450 people for a drive when we partner with VBS. Our goal for the Sandy drive is 600 donors, but we certainly are hoping for even more," Smith said. "Like all of our 'Neighbors Helping Neighbors' programs at Midas, it's all about giving back to the communities that make us successful. Through this event, New York and New Jersey get help with blood supply and donors get a free oil change. It's a win-win."
"Their hospitals need blood now, yet so many potential donors are occupied with their own recovery from the effects of Sandy," Robert Carden, President and CEO of VBS, said. "We know from experience that together the citizens of Central Virginia, VBS and Midas can deliver a meaningful supply of blood on short notice."
Smith added, "While my wife Patty and I are Virginians, Sandy hit close to home. As a graduate of Rutgers, and someone who began a career in Toms River, NJ, a city which took a very hard hit, this just seems like the right thing to do."
