Out of the Mouths of Babes – Children as Community Ambassadors Lydia Wallace American Red Cross Pint Size Heroes Program 1.Target Audience - Elementary & Middle School students who recruit one or more adult blood donors in order to become a Pint Size Hero _____________________

Pint Size Heroes Program 2.Incentives A. Age-appropriate Gift Items lunch bags, calculator-rulers, miniature basketballs, stuffed toys, backsacks B. Certificates of Recognition student name, number of donors recruited, number of lives saved C. School Scholarship Paid directly to University: Summer enrichment program for child chosen by school or in-school program for all students D. Altruism – Family Approach 1. Child / Parent blood recipients 2. Multi-gallon Donors (teens to elderly) _____________________

Pint Size Heroes Program 3.Recruitment A. Educational Assemblies / Classroom Presentations 1. Who needs blood donation & Why 2. What happens during / after donation B. Parent Letter Date, Time, Place & Donor Pledge Form with requested appointment time to be returned to school C. Parent Organization Meeting D. Mascot Appearances E. Classroom Enrichment Books/coloring books provided by Red Cross or teacher-made activities F. Student News Programs _____________________

Pint Size Heroes Program 4.Drive Logistics A. Scheduling Parent volunteer enters appointments into online donor system / calls parents to reschedule for less busy times B. Volunteer Recruitment 1. Students wherever appropriate 2. Parent volunteers As necessary, ineligible adults may volunteer in lieu of blood donation so their children become Pint Size Heroes 3. Community Volunteers C. Canteen Donations Parents, school, local community, donor center as necessary _____________________

Pint Size Heroes Program 5.Community Partnerships A. High Schools 1. Shared Donors - Parents & HS Students 2. Shared Volunteers – HS students & Parents 3. Shared Incentives – Scholarship $ go to HS Senior from the Elementary/Middle School B. Fraternal & Service Organizations 1. Members as Volunteers – Lions, Odd Fellows 2. Partnering with Child-related Charities, e.g., Masonic Learning Centers for Dyslexia C. Local Businesses 1. Canteen provided by Restaurant / Caterer 2. Giveaway or Raffle Item from Local Merchant D. Local Media Free Publicity from Local Newspaper/Radio/TV _____________________

Pint Size Heroes Program 6.Donor Demographics / Statistics A. Donor Base 1. Younger Adults – Parents & Co-Workers 2. Teens – HS students & Older Siblings 3. Older Adults – Grandparents & Established Blood Donors B. High Percentage of First-Time & Lapsed Donors 1. Larger drives with production averaging pints 2. High deferral rates, slower donor processing 3. Extra donors tend to show up without appointments _____________________

Pint Size Heroes Program 6.Donor Demographics / Statistics C. Impact on Community Drives 1. Expansion of Donor Database 2. Good Retention of Pint Size Donors who return to subsequent Pint Size & High School Drives 3. Some Crossover of Pint Size Donors to Community Drives 4. Schedule & Publicize With Care so as not to adversely affect Regular Rotational Drives in Small Communities _____________________

Adaptations to Other Groups or Venues 1.Preschools, Daycares, & Vacation Bible Schools A. Less Formal Structure 1. Short Informational Assembly or Puppet Show 2. Small Take-Home Giveaway & Blood Drive Flyer B. Recruit for Community Drives with Hands-On Activities 1. Decorate Red Cross Vehicle or Children’s Floats for Community Parade 2. Dress up as Mascot in Parade 3. Hand Out Blood Drive Flyers while Marching in Parade _____________________

Adaptations to Other Groups or Venues 2.Child-Friendly Blood Drives A. Choose Site, Theme, & Incentive Item to Appeal to Kids 1. Bowling Alley or Kids’ Play Center 2. Magician Appears at Drive to Make Holiday Blood Shortages Disappear 3. Every presenting donor (or their child!) receives a Balloon Character of their choice created to their specifications B. Schedule & Recruit to Include Pint Size Donors from Area Drives 1. Recruit at Schools for Drive Scheduled during Spring or Winter Break 2. Advertise through Local Media Interviews of Magician C. Provide Activity to Keep Kids Busy While Parents Donate 1. Free Game Pass to every presenting donor so Kids can Play while parents are donating 2. Balloon Artist Performs Magic Tricks & Creates Balloon Characters to entertain kids _____________________

Adaptations to Other Groups or Venues 3.Amish Schools One-Room, Grades 1 – 8, Ages One Unmarried Female Teacher 20 – 30 Children, 10 – 12 Families Per School 1 – 3 Miles Apart (walking distance from home) A. Recruit by Family through Teacher 1. Special Flyer with Donor & ID Requirements, offer of free transportation, sent home with each family 2. Practical Gift (Pencil, Notepad) B. Parents & Older Siblings Bring Younger Children to Blood Drive 1. Young Children Observe Elders Setting an Example through Blood Donation 2. Parents Recruit Their Teenaged Sons & Daughters to Accompany them to Donate Blood _____________________