“Raising the Steaks” for Blood Donations
The annual “Christmas in July” blood drive became the “Raise the Steaks” blood drive on July 24^th at Lewis Drug’s 41^st and Minnesota location in Sioux Falls. 

“We decided to change the name to draw attention to what is at stake in the community if we don’t have an adequate supply of blood,” said Reid Holsen, Community Blood Bank executive director.

 “The goal was to set a local record for blood donations in one day.  The previous record was 117, set at 2002’s 'Christmas in July' drive, and we sailed past that goal, with 197 donations at this event.  Summer is a difficult time of year for us in the blood bank.  We just wanted to make it fun and convenient for people to donate.”

Sioux Falls and area families joined employees of  KELO AM, Outback Steakhouse, Service First Federal Credit Union and Lewis Drug to donate blood on the bloodmobiles.  The Outback Steakhouse grilled steaks on-site for everyone that signed up to donate blood.