Betty Johnson, like many members of the Greene County Medical Center auxiliary, joined early in her retirement as a way to stay busy. A few years later, in 1989, the auxiliary needed someone to take the lead on community blood drives. Johnson accepted the role. She’s still part of every Jefferson community blood drive.
Johnson, or “Miss Betty” as the LifeServe Blood Center crew call her, was honored by LifeServe at last week’s blood drive for 30 years of volunteer service. The crew brought a certificate, a gift bag and cupcakes to celebrate Miss Betty’s three decades of volunteerism.
It was the second time the crew brought cupcakes for Miss Betty. They also helped her celebrate her 94th birthday last September.
When Johnson started as blood drive chairperson, auxiliary members did all the scheduling of donors as well as hosting the post-donation canteen. Every month committee members split up the list of 70 or 80 potential donors and telephoned them to make appointments. In 1989, only a few people had voicemail and no one had mobile phones. It sometimes took several calls to make contact with people, Johnson recalls.
LifeServe does the scheduling now, primarily through its website, lifeservebloodcenter.org, and by telephone toll free at 800-287-4903.
Johnson and other auxiliary members are still at every blood drive, offering beverages and snacks while donors wait their requested 10 minutes after a donation. Johnson also encourages donors to sign up for the blood drive in eight weeks when they’re eligible to donate again.
The conversation is one thing that has kept Johnson volunteering for 30 years. “I like people. I always have. I like talking with them,” she said.
The important service LifeServe provides is another. “I like that I’m doing something good, that I’m helping all those people who need blood,” she added.
