STANTON, Del. – Blood Bank of Delmarva’s third annual Trunk or Treat showed that the event’s popularity continues to grow with donors, their families, and members of the community.
The third edition of Trunk or Treat held the crisp, autumn evening of Thursday, October 23 brought out a grand total of 212 participants, eclipsing 2024’s attendance of 150 and 2023’s inaugural showing of 100 trick-or-treaters.
A number of BBD employees and volunteers decked out their cars for the Trunk or Treat, and most dressed up, including Director of Donor Recruitment Joanna Arat who was Glinda the good witch, Director of Donor Services Megan Johnson who was Elphaba, the bad witch, and Megan’s daughter, Lily, whow was Dorothy. (Lily has been to every event with her mother.)
Trunk or Treat had a number of other repeat attendees, such as whole blood donor Samantha Baranowski and her son, Judah, dressed up as Ghostface, Director, Process Improvement Rachele Allison’s brother and his children, and Account Manager Mary Moore’s grandchildren.
There were also some newcomers, such as Amy Proctor’s daughter, Arielle Roman, and her daughters, Bella, Alana, and Lucianna, as well as blood drive coordinator Jillian Petela, who brought her son and daughter to the event. (Jillian runs the annual In Honor of Mickey Blood Drive.) Also, Blood Collection Tech Lexi Moore came with her son Ace, who wore a SpongeBob T-shirt, and her two daughters Storm and Ky’Oir, dressed as Bluey and Bingo, respectively, from the kids show, “Bluey.”
BBD Vice President, Blood Operations Keith Heim welcomed the crowd and thanked everyone for coming. He wore an orange, prison jumpsuit for his costume, Jailbird.
“Well, hello, all the ghouls and goblins out there,” Heim said. “Thank you for joining us today at our third annual Trunk or Treat event. I really appreciate everyone coming out today. At the Blood Bank of Delmarva, we are very, very thankful for your support as we are the leading source of all blood here on the Delmarva Peninsula. All I can say is, thank you very much for every single donation.
“We only have three days of blood on average available; that’s not a lot,” he added. “so, I really want you to think about how important it is to save someone’s life. But, I’m thankful to all of our families being able to spend time together in this joyous event.”
BBD Marketing Manager Jason Burlew then asked Bayleigh Carpenter, Blood Collection Tech Ashley Carpenter’s daughter, to help him draw prizes for the sweepstakes prizes that went out to a number of people, including Roman’s family.
“Once again, thank you, everybody,” Heim said.
Stay tuned for next year’s Trunk or Treat at BBD in honor of Halloween season!
