Dairy farmers Sherri and Tom Alger were already working at their local food pantry and giving dairy farm tours to school groups when they decided they wanted to do even more for their community. After finding out from blood centers that donations drop during the summer, local dairy farmers decided promoting blood donations during the summer months would be a great fit, and the Algers saw another opportunity to roll up their sleeves for a great cause.
“It’s a matter of bringing people together with a giving spirit and having fellowship with those in your community while telling the dairy story,” explains Sherri.
A Passion for Pints – and the Community
She and Tom actively work with Dairy MAX on Passion for Pints, a regionwide blood donation program that has impacted over 180,000 lives since 2013. More than 1,500 blood drives across southwest Kansas, New Mexico, western Oklahoma and Texas have been part of the program, which is aimed at getting donations in rural areas.
“We really like being able to utilize the blood banks’ mobile units to go out into our dairy farmers’ communities,” explains John Cass, who coordinates the program at Dairy MAX. “It not only allows our farmers to participate, but also ensures they can connect with their community while they do.”
The Algers bring their community together through Passion for Pints by partnering with the Lions Club to cook hamburgers and hot dogs for blood donors to enjoy with their dairy products.
“We just want to showcase our commitment and that we are family-owned farms,” says Tom.
How You Can Help
Dairy farmers are proud to bring you wholesome dairy products, but are even more proud to contribute to the world we all share through efforts like Passion for Pints. Want to join dairy farm families, like the Algers, in giving back by donating blood in your community? Dairy MAX is hosting several blood drives, stretching from Colorado to Oklahoma, this summer! Find one closest to you:
- Vitalant – Colorado, Texas and New Mexico
- Carter BloodCare – Central and East Texas
- Oklahoma Blood Institute – Oklahoma
- Coffee Memorial Blood Center – Texas
Learn more about how dairy farm families give back to their communities.
