The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

After thirty years Twila Cline has given up heading blood drives in the Big Sandy area. Rachel Baumgarn and Laci LaBuda have taken over the reins.

Last Wednesday, October 12 was the first blood drawing for Rachel and she said, prior to the drawing that she was looking forward to it.

She added that she didn't know anything that could go wrong as she had never been in charge of one before and by the time readers are reading this story and Rachel has one blood drawing under her belt, she might know of many things she did not know before this first of many.

Typically in Big Sandy blood drawings are held at the Jerry Martin Hall. There are two a year, October and March.

There is a huge need for people to give blood. Blood is not as freely given as it was a few years ago, and yet when there is a massive need for it, such as in Las Vegas earlier in the month, there needs to be plenty of blood on hand. Fortunately in Las Vegas the call went out and they had people standing in line waiting to give blood just after that tragedy occurred.

The needs here in Montana are not that great but one never knows when a large amount of blood is needed so give freely if you can. Your blood can save lives. It is as simple as that!

Meanwhile back in Big Sandy, Rachael has plenty of helpers around who can help her with these first blood drawings that she is in charge of.

Rachael is giving back to her community. That is why she volunteered to take this important post.

"I am doing it because my son Hudson has a heart condition and he got a lot of blood. This is my way of giving back to the community. "

Thirty years from now, some reporter from "The Mountaineer" will be thanking Rachel for her service just like we now are thanking Twila Cline for all she has done in her thirty years of heading up community blood drawings.

This year's only first time donor was Carla Gilman. Ron Mangold received his 6 gallon pin. We also had 5 high school donors.

I would like to thank the ladies form the Catholic church for lunch and all the goodies.