Maranatha Christian Reformed Church in Cambridge, Ontario, recently hosted a combination blood-donor clinic and church garage sale.
Organizer and Maranatha member Caroline Payne is herself a longtime blood donor. The garage sale was set up on the driveway of the church, attracting attention to the blood-donor clinic happening inside the building.
Caroline Payne tends the garage sale set up to improve registration for blood donations.
Payne recruited volunteers who asked bargain-hunters what their blood type and explained how donations work.
By the end of the clinic, 25 people had given blood.
This was the third blood-donor clinic hosted by the church. “The first two were during the Christmas season, when the need is high and the number of donors is low,” said Mary Munnik. “Summertime is also critical.”
Church members who helped with the event were happy with the response, especially in light of the efforts the church has been making to become more visible and available in the community.
“We raised $1,000 for a mission trip and 25 donations of blood—but the connections we made with people are priceless. Only God can measure those,” said Munnik.