By: Shannon McClure
Greater Omaha Chamber
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news,
my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.'” – Mr. Rogers
The events of the last week in Orlando have been deeply saddening, tragic, and personal for a lot of people nationwide. Whether you know someone who is affected by the events there or you simply feel compassion for those who do, these tragedies affect us all.
We often want to do something to be like Mr. Rogers’ “helpers” at times like this, but feel powerless. What can we do? What can possibly be enough?
As a Greater Omaha community, over the past two years we have rallied around the concept that “We Don’t Coast”. We roll up our sleeves, every day. We work hard and play hard. When the going gets tough, the Omaha tough get going.
In solidarity with our friends in Orlando, two Greater Omaha Chamber members are coming together on Monday morning, June 27, to give us all a way to help.
Next Monday, WOWT Channel 6 and Nebraska Community Blood Bank (NCBB) will sponsor a blood donation drive from 8 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. at the Mutual of Omaha parking lot at 3501 Farnam St. Over the last week, Orlando called on NCBB to send blood to help them treat patients injured in the Pulse Nightclub shooting, and just as they have done in times of crisis before, NCBB gave because donors from Nebraska and Iowa gave.
In honor of the people of Greater Orlando, WOWT and NCBB are giving us all an opportunity next Monday to roll up our sleeves again to do good. What better way is there to help than to give of ourselves through a blood donation – to give life to those in need?
To make an appointment to donate, visit http://www.ncbb.org/SupportingOrlando and use the sponsor code: WOWT. Any blood type is welcome. If you can’t make an appointment ahead of time, walk-ins are also welcome.
Never donated blood before? No problem! Read all about what to expect: http://www.ncbb.org/successful-donation-tips.
Come out on Monday and be “the helpers”, Omaha!