Driven To Help
PACC to host blood drive in honor of David Gong
The Porterville Area Coordinating Council (PACC) has teamed up with the local Kiwanis Club to host a Taco Tuesday Blood Drive in honor of David Gong from 2 to 7 p.m. Tuesday, September 22, at Porterville Church of the Nazarene. Ryan Land, the manager of PACC, shared a few details about the blood drive on Monday morning outside of All Valley Uniforms on Main Street.
Land stated PACC and
Kiwanis were the two main sponsors for the blood drive, but there are several other sponsors for the blood drive as well. All Valley Uniforms will be the central location for those interested in purchasing raffle tickets for the event. Raffle tickets are available at All Valley Uniforms for purchase, and there are many prizes up for raffle, including a Citizens watch, microwaves, bicycles, vacuums, gift certificates and a 55 inch television. Land also said there will be many giveaway prizes that will be given out on Tuesday as well.
Land also thanked Rockybilly Farms, Ernest Nichols with The Ernest Realty Group, Chingons Tacos, and KTIP La Poderosa for helping to sponsor the event as well. Land said KTIP La Poderosa will be broadcasting the event live in Spanish.
“When you donate blood, you will receive five raffle tickets to put towards the raffle and also a coupon packet,” said Land. “The coupon packet will include a coupon for Chingons Tacos for two tacos, rice and beans. There will be t-shirts available and memorabilia David Gong masks.”
Land stressed the importance of giving blood, especially right now in the midst of a pandemic.
“We’re dealing with this situation of a pandemic and blood is very, very important,” said Land. “With Valley blood we can do anything.”
David Gong said that he was more than willing to attach his name to the event, especially during
the pandemic.
“We’ve had blood drives in my name before and we broke records five days in a row last time,” said Gong. “When they asked if they could use my name in this blood drive, of course I was happy to do that. We’re talking about saving lives, especially right now with everything so uncertain. I know the blood bank needs blood and that’s why I was happy to do it. It’s amazing the way the community supports something like this. People want to help. It was pretty much a nobrainer.”
Isabel Vela, the new president of Kiwanis as of August, explained why Kiwanis wanted to partner with PACC to host the event.
“We strongly believe in supporting and being there for families, and giving blood is one of the strongest ways that we can do that,” said Vela. “It’s giving life and it’s giving hope.”
Margarita Garcia, owner of All Valley Uniforms, shared her excitement about the event and explained how the raffle tickets were sold
at her store.
“Just come right in,” said Garcia. “We’re open 10 to 6 Monday through Friday and Saturdays from 11 to 3. We’ve always been partnered with Kiwanis since we opened, and have sold raffle tickets for them. When they approached about this we said it was no problem. We’re always trying to get involved with the community, and help anyway we can.”
For those planning to attend the blood drive, a photo ID will be required to register. A mini-physical and interview will be conducted before blood is drawn. One pint of blood will be drawn, which can take up to 15 minutes. Lots of water consumption and eating a good meal is recommended before donating.
The Taco Tuesday Blood Drive in honor of David Gong will be held on Tuesday, September 22, at the Porterville Church of the Nazarene, located at 2005 W. Olive avenue, from 2 to 7 p.m. For more information, call Ryan Land at (559)756-1061 or Katherine Morrison at (559) 978-2102.
Gong is a well-known leader in the community who has battled cancer all of his life.