Vitalant Collects 64 Pints at Community Blood Drive
Aug 07, 2025 09:02AM ● By Gail Bullen River Valley Times Reporter
The Rancho Murieta Women’s Club is thanking volunteers Sue Kjome and Olivia Reed for their years of service promoting the club’s community blood drive during the July 4 Parade. Kjome drives her red convertible Mustang while Reed, dressed as “Drippy,” waves to the crowd. Photo by Gail Bullen
RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - A community blood drive co-sponsored by the Rancho Murieta Women’s Club and the Knights of Columbus collected 64 pints of lifesaving blood on July 14 at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church.
The event began with 54 scheduled appointments, which organizers strongly encouraged.
Nineteen walk-ins helped to make up for several no-shows. In total, technicians and a nurse from the Vitalant blood bank collected 46 whole blood donations and eight Power Red donations, which count as two each, bringing the total to 64 pints.
Nineteen walk-ins helped to make up for several no-shows. In total, technicians and a nurse from the Vitalant blood bank collected 46 whole blood donations and eight Power Red donations, which count as two each, bringing the total to 64 pints.
Bonnie Kirschman, who co-chairs the Women’s Club blood drive committee, said Vitalant account manager Stephanie Kress emailed her the results the following day.
“Thank you for hosting another lifesaving blood drive yesterday with Vitalant. It was a good turnout,” Kress told her.
The Vitalant representative also acknowledged the club’s many volunteers who help with each quarterly blood drive.
“I know you and your team did a lot of outreach, and I think the reminder calls helped with the walk-ins,” Kress said. “I really appreciate all your efforts as I know you made an extra effort with this drive, and it shows!”
Kirschman also took the opportunity to acknowledge two longtime volunteers for promoting the club’s blood drives during the July 4 parades. Sue Kjome drove her red Mustang convertible with Olivia Reed in the back, dressed as “Drippy.”
“At this year’s parade, I really noticed a lot of small children waving and calling to ‘Drippy,’ Kirshman said. “And Olivia always answered with big waves with those ‘Mickey Mouse’ hands!”
Kjome, who has been in the parade since 2012, is selling her car. Reed has left the area after graduating from college.
The next blood drive is scheduled for Oct. 27.
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