Triple-digit summer temperatures often prompt Valley residents to leave for the summer. But when they leave, their donations leave with them.
Scholarships for blood donations? That’s what the American Red Cross is doing to meet demand. Trudy Thompson-Rice is with the Red Cross Arizona chapter. She said they have to increase summertime recruitment efforts to keep the nationwide blood supply at a safe level. The national Red Cross started the Leaders Save Lives scholarship program to encourage young people to host blood drives.
“That program thanks volunteers, gives them incentive, and it also furthers education," Thompson-Rice said.
The scholarships range from $1,000 to $2,500, depending on how much blood is donated. But for smaller nonprofits, those extra dollars and resources might not be available. The Phoenix Rescue Mission needs even more donations in the summer.
Nicole Peña with the Rescue Mission said their Code Red campaign keeps donations and volunteers coming in the summer. She also said they had to come up with a new strategy to get their message across.
“having water, having rest stations, having rest areas so they could cool off, clothing, underwear and sock drives...all of those things that we did during the summer we put under the Code Red campaign and asked for the community support and, you know, it’s been amazing," Peña said.
There are many nonprofits and limited donors and volunteers. Instead of trying to compete for those donor dollars and free labor, both Thompson-Rice and Pena say working together is key. Their nonprofits have partnered with other organizations to survive the slow months and deliver aid to those who need it most.