Viola Mauer
"I volunteer at various community blood drives because I hope in some small way I can convey the importance and necessity of being a regular donor. I'm especially enthused with the high school blood drives. It is such a great way to familiarize the young people with the process of donating and hopefully will be the beginning of a life long practice on their part." Volunteers are a source of motivation and comfort to donors at all of our community mobile blood drives. Nowhere is this more important than at our high school blood drives. The kids want so desperately to give, but are anxious. The volunteers' ability to make students feel at ease makes the whole process a lot smoother. Their service is invaluable because they reassure the donors that donating is not as scary as they thought. Their calming and caring influence safely guides them through the process and back the next time. High schools have actually increased frequency due to volunteer contributions at these drives. Special thanks to all of our mobile blood drive volunteers, especially all who support our high school blood drive program and create " Donors for Life. "

Alan Miller
Miller has been volunteering with LifeSource for many years despite having a very demanding job. He helps out every other weekend, often arriving in the early hours of the morning to fit in his volunteer schedule without compromising quality time with his young family. His friendly smile and positive attitude toward all the staff and customers are priceless, and our hospital customers look forward to seeing him arrive with their deliveries. Miller's service to LifeSource can best be described as admirable. He is currently planning a family reunion blood drive. In response to receiving recognition, Miller wrote, "As a LifeSource volunteer, I am able to help other people, not only as a blood donor but also by delivering blood to the hospitals. I have been doing this for a long time - about 11 years. I also volunteer at a hospital, and it's a great feeling to see the patients who receive the blood. It makes a complete circle. I believe that my contribution to LifeSource is one way of doing something good for the community and the country."

Gina Lambert
Despite running her own business, which requires quite a bit of travel, Lambert makes time to support mobile blood drives within the community. She seeks out the busiest of drives, no matter where they are located. She is well suited for the friendly concern and care that she provides, especially to first-time high school donors. Her energy and enthusiasm create donor relationships that will last a lifetime. She consistently identifies opportunities for improvement and celebrates LifeSource's successes. Lambert responded, "My first high school blood drive was thrilling! I have been a blood donor since age 19, so reaching the kids at an early age really appeals to me. High school drives provide me with a chance to talk with teens and try to encourage them to look at donating as something they will do throughout the years. I thank LifeSource for giving me an outlet for this new passion of mine. I was able to donate blood for my mother when she needed it. Someone else may not be so lucky when it's their turn to face a need for blood.

Bill Schnur
"I volunteer in order to give back to the community," Schnur said. Raul Mora, Schnur's supervisor at LifeSource, has seen countless positive qualities from Schnur on a regular basis. "Bill comes to work not only with a very good sense of humor, but also with a good sense of knowing the importance of the things we do," Mora said. He can't stand still; he is moving from the time he comes in until he leaves. Schnur is one of the many, many volunteers who work for LifeSource. Schnur is also a regular blood donor. "It only takes a little time, and it is fairly painless, but the good it provides society is immeasurable," Schnur said. "Every time you donate blood you can save the lives of three people, and someone needs blood every two seconds. Most people don't know that 90 percent of the population will need blood in its lifetime, yet fewer than 5 percent of eligible donors in the Chicago area give the gift of life." Schnur wants to get the word out that LifeSource needs more blood donors and volunteers."