Staff report
Donors at a blood drive hosted by the Vikings of Solvang on Wednesday, March 4, will receive a $25 voucher for dinner at participating local restaurants as well as a $10 gift card that is redeemable online.
Walk-ins are welcome during the event from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. at the Solvang Veterans Memorial Hall, but donors can save themselves time by making an appointment online in advance with Vitalant (formerly United Blood Services), who will operate the blood drive.
To make an appointment, go to www.blood4life.org, click on “Locate a Blood Drive,” search by Solvang’s ZIP code (93463), and then choose the blood drive listed as “Solvang Vikings, Large Hall.”
The $25 voucher, redeemable that night at participating local restaurants, is courtesy of the Vikings. The $10 online certificate is a new reward from Vitalant.
“The Vikings’ mission is to take care of our community, so a gift of blood is a really a gift to ourselves,” said Kim Jensen, who chairs the blood drive with fellow Viking Aaron Petersen. “I would love to reach 200 pints of donated blood.”
“The Vikings rely on the generous people in the Santa Ynez Valley for a successful blood drive,” added Richard Kline, this year’s Viking chief. “The free dinner is our way to thank you for your support — and for your donation of blood for those who need it.”
The $10 gift online gift card is redeemable at iTunes, Amazon, Target, Chipotle, Domino’s or Barnes and Noble.
Donors must be 18 or older. They are asked to eat something and drink plenty of water before arriving, and to bring photo identification. For more information, call Kim Jensen at 805-266-8768.
The Vikings of Solvang are a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that provides help for the medically related needs of qualified people and organizations in Santa Barbara County, with a goal of improving people’s quality of life.
For more information about the Vikings, go to www.vikingcharitiesinc.com.
