6th Annual Mud 4 Blood Drive
Saturday, April 25th, 2009 was a bright and sunny day, one of the first hot days of the year.
This event gets more fun, more exciting, and most importantly, more successful each and every year! And we can finally report that Mother Nature finally gave us a break. Those of you that have attended our past events, or have read about them remember that we've had every element of weather that can possibly hit North Georgia in the spring.
Saturday, April 25th, 2009 was a bright and sunny day, one of the first hot days of the year. We were all set up at Dixie Speedway in Woodstock, with 5 LifeSouth blood buses that were well air conditioned. Mud 4 Blood 6 had an impressive amount of sponsor support we had. Tony headed up this event and he did a great job organizing everything. Several clubs came out to show their support for a worthy cause. Southern Jeeps provided food for everyone, while others sold baked good for Rescue Tellico. There were many rigs in the truck show and it was very popular with the crowd. Although it was a bit warm turn-out was good and Life South had plenty of Blood Mobiles on site to make the wait to donate minimal. The kids were kept entertained with a "moonwalk" and several games. There was also a silent auction and a scratch and dent sale. The raffle had to be one of the best we have ever seen, sponsors came through with gift certificates to tow straps and more. 4Wheel Parts was there with their parts truck and Hooters was there with their girls. Dixie speedway had a great location and helped with whatever was needed. All in all it was a good experience and shows what people can do for a great cause.
Please remember that when you give blood, your single pint can help as many as three different people. Blood can be separated into its three main components, red blood cells, plasma, and platelets. So every time you give, you have the potential of saving three lives. With this event, thanks to those able to donate, we have the potential of helping more than 300 people. Over the 6 years, we've collected more than 80 gallons of blood at these events to help those in need. I bet we all know someone that has needed blood in the past.
Additional special thanks go out to three of our members, Kerry VanderPool, Pat Johnson, and Patrick Bennett. Kerry organized a silent auction, and Pat & Patrick from Omix Ada had a scratch and dent sale with blemished items. The fund this year will go to a very important cause for all of us: Save Tellico. The Tellico OHV area in Murphy NC, is under attack by certain environmental groups that are attempting to get as many of our trail systems closed as possible. The United Four Wheel Drive Association has teamed up with the Blue Ribbon Coalition and they will also be working with the Southern Four Wheel Drive Association in an attempt to fend off these groups. It will take a LOT of money to be successful. Our event will add just over $2,000 to that legal fund.
The local clubs represented at this event were: Georgia Bounty Runners, Southern Jeeps, Georgia Rock Rods, Off Camber, Georgia Crawlers, and Soloros. Thank you to all who donated. We guarantee you will touch someone?s life with your gift.
SEE YA NEXT YEAR!!!
   
Click here to view more pictures of the event. |
