Buckeyeman Will Help Bid Farewell to Final OSU Alumni Club Tailgate Blood Drive

DAYTON, Ohio – The Darke County OSU Alumni Club 30th annual – and final – Tailgate Blood Drive Tuesday, Nov. 14 from 12:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at the Greenville Church of the Brethren, 421 Central Ave. will include a farewell visit from superfan OSU Buckeyeman Larry Lokai.

Make an appointment to donate with Solvita (formerly Community Blood Center) on the Donor Time app, by calling (937) 461-3220, or at www.donortime.com.

Everyone who registers to donate will receive the “Sleigh-In-It” long-sleeve, holiday season t-shirt and will be entered into a drawing to win New Year’s Day Rose Bowl tickets.

After three decades of helping save lives, it will be the final Tailgate Blood Drive. Darke County OSU Alumni Club President Bill Barga said the club has officially disbanded due to declining membership but wanted to honor its final commitment as a Solvita blood drive sponsor.

“This will be it,” said Bill. “We’re hoping to have some Buckeyes there and the blow-up Brutus. We didn’t really want to give up. There are over 400 Ohio State alumni in the county, but being a rural area like we are, that’s really not that many.”

The “Tailgate Blood Drive” began in 1993 and was coordinated for decades by OSU graduates and lifelong Darke County educators Wilma Heiby and Tot Heinrich.

For many years the club could count on visits by “OSU Buckeyeman” superfan Larry Lokai in his traditional red wig and face paint, and Coach Jim Tressel look-a-like Dennis “Tress” Singleton. They handed out Buckeye necklaces made by Larry as door prizes and posed for photos with donors.

Larry is 81 and recovering from a recent surgery, the first time a hospital stay has interrupted his Buckeyeman schedule. He has cut back on appearances but will visit the final Tailgate Blood Drive and the Nov. 21 Shelby County OSU Alumni Association Buckeye Blood Drive.

“I’ve learned to say, ‘No’ but I am doing events again and got my invitation to the blood drive,” said Larry. “I’ll have some things to give to donors, plus I’ll bring my usual charming personality and good looks.”

You can save time while helping save lives by using “DonorXPress” to complete the donor questionnaire before arriving at a blood drive. Find DonorXPress on the Donor Time App or at www.givingblood.org/donorxpress.

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