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Jerry Clark

Red Cross “Sign Artists” Group Is Making a Difference

I invite you to join us.

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A COUPLE COLUMNS AGO, we were discussing ways of getting you recognized without taking out a bank loan or rolling out a drum-beating publicity plan. We lightly touched upon being involved in the community showcasing your unique ideas. My inbox is overflowing with responses, many requesting me to elaborate further.

Perhaps as sign artists, we could all get involved in a single project?

All communities hold blood drives to help supply the never-ending demand for all blood types. The demand is much higher when disasters strike all parts of the world. You and your signshop coworkers can make a difference by rolling up your sleeves. Or wear your Brain Squad T-shirt and you won’t have to roll them.

The Red Cross website is easy to navigate. You can find a blood drive near you and make an appointment. When registering, find the group, “Sign Artists.” We will be one big team tallying pint after pint for the cause. In a couple years’ time, we could pump out more gallons than the Barbershop Quartets or other well-intentioned groups. Let’s set a goal of 1,000 Sign Artists in this distinct group!

Depending on my direction of travel, the collection point to my east is a fire hall. To the west is a Methodist church. Both are 20 miles away. The staff is from Buffalo, NY (100 miles to the north). You will get to know the staff as you become a regular. The American Red Cross is known to have teams of good-natured phlebotomists (blood-drawing technicians). You will be impressed with their well-oiled routine. Have fun. You can weasel a couple hours out of designing or fabricating. And get some free publicity by parking the bucket truck in the firehall parking lot.

Recalling fond memories

The Red Cross has a special place in my heart. Back in the early ’70s, the Red Cross Ladies would pay special visits to us (the US troops on the DMZ) in Korea. They would bring fresh pastries and doughnuts to our work areas. I worked in the motor pool. My tool kit at the time carried a 1-in. brush, a quart of olive-drab paint, one of white and turpentine. I had the job of changing truck VIN numbers (on the hoods) to match the hand receipts in the supply room. If you saw me painting anything, you were to ask no questions.

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On the rare occasion of a jeep load of Red Cross Ladies showing up, word spread like frosting on a hot sweet roll. Without cleaning my brush, I would run to the mess hall. There they were — fresh-baked goods! The ladies made three visits to our compound during the year I was stationed there. Today, when I hand paint a number, my mind will drift back to that wonderful memory on the other side of the world.

If you have been donating your blood/platelets, next time, please register with our newly formed group, “Sign Artists.” If you were inspired by this column to give blood, welcome! Print this column, take a #11 X-Acto blade and cut it out. Place it on your bulletin board. In yellow, highlight “Sign Artists.”

How to join the Red Cross “Sign Artists” Donor Group

  1. Download the Red Cross Blood Donor app. You can find it in the App Store or by clicking here.
  2. Then search for the “Sign Artists” group here.
  3. If you need help, you can call Red Cross Customer Care at (855) 210-1278, ext. 5051 and speak to Nicole.

You can also use the app to keep track of your totals and for its other interesting tools. Follow our group efforts and root for the Sign Artists making a difference.

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