By Jennifer Eisenbart
Editor
For Mary Lynch of LDV, Monday was about more than just the ribbon cutting on a new piece of equipment – or for that matter, donating blood.
It was a chance for employees at the company to see something they built reach completion and be used for a life-saving cause.
“It’s very rare for employees to get to see something we’ve built in use, and this is pretty special,” explained Lynch.
With Lynch, as well as her father, David, Blood Center of Wisconsin employees, the Burlington Area Chamber of Commerce and Mayor Bob Miller in attendance, the ribbon was officially cut on a new bloodmobile.
The bloodmobile has been in use since April, and as Nancy Ziolecki – Donor Group Recruiter for the Blood Center – explained, it hasn’t had a day off since it was put into service.
The bus features four donation beds, as well as a seating area at both the front and the back. Two separate consultation booths are also built in, and there are four television screens set up for the donors to watch while they donate blood.
At least five different volunteers were working on the new bloodmobile on Monday at LDV, with Ziolecki and others also in attendance.
The event featured plenty of food and beverages, and Lynch called it an open house of sorts. Custom T-shirts were made by Lynch for those donating blood, and the Blood Center also provided a T-shirt for every donor – as well as Wisconsin State Fair tickets for those who wanted them.
Both Ziolecki and Miller made brief speeches, and about 100 people from the various Lynch companies came donating blood.
Ziolecki said that it’s normal for the Lynch groups to do two to four blood drives a year. It’s so normal that the blood center relies on them for the help.
“I know I can call Mary Lynch and set up a date,” Ziolecki said in front of the assembled crowd Monday.
The blood drive on Monday was especially helpful, because donations traditionally lag around the Fourth of July weekend.
Miller said what LDV provides to the community goes far beyond the blood donations.
“It’s an honor to be here today, it’s an honor to work with LDV. It’s an honor to stand here and look at you guys,” the mayor said.
After the ribbon was officially cut, employees and guests lined up for brats and hot dogs – prepared by Bruiser’s in Burlington – and also settled into their various bloodmobile appointments.
Both Mary Lynch and Ziolecki said they were happy with the day.
“We have been doing blood drives for the Blood Center of Wisconsin for the last 12 to 14 years,” Mary Lynch said. “When they needed a new bus, we thought, ‘who better to build it than us?’
“It was kind of a perfect marriage,” she added. “The event today, basically, is as much for our people as anybody.
“It’s kind of a celebration between us and the Blood Center.”
Ziolecki added, “This doesn’t get any better with having a client and a partner in the same arena.
“That way we can just build future blood drives,” Ziolecki added. “To continue this partnership, it just doesn’t get any better than this.”
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