Blood Donor Honor Roll

The first and foremost principle of our Order is charity and the greatest example of charity is the gift of life. Throughout Washington there are brother knights and their families routinely giving the gift of life through their participation in blood donor programs. The dedication to the blood donor program by these individuals and by all knights and family members who participate in these programs have saved thousands of lives.

On 20 May 1995 in Everett. at the 92nd Annual Washington State Convention's Awards Banquet, State Deputy Charles F. McLean announced the inauguration of the George C. Turk, PSD, FVSM, Gift of Life, Blood Donor Honor Roll. George Turk and his wife Jean accepted this plaque on behalf of all donor Knights and their families in Washington. It was very important to give this plaque a deserving title. The title was based on three criteria. leadership. dedication, and fraternalism. Leadership being the motivation of others with a desire to participate in the program. Dedication being the uninterrupted long term commitment to the program. Fraternalism being the brotherhood and family to which a participant will become a member. Considering these criteria. the title became part of the design. This Honor Roll will display the names of knights and family members who have donated 100 or more pints of blood to acknowledge their dedication to unselfishly give of themselves to save others. The Blood Donor Honor Roll has been inscribed in three levels. The levels will group the names of those donors of 100, 150, and 200 pints of blood.

The charter names inscribed on the Honor Roll were:

Two Hundred or More Pints of Blood

1. George C. Turk, PSD, FVSM, Bellevue #4385
2. Alex Cembalski, Richland #3307
3. Richard McDonnell. GK, Richland #3307

One Hundred fifty or More Pints of Blood

1. Dick Thomas, Richland #3307

One Hundred or More Pints of Blood

1. Wesley McLean, Yakima #6097

This Blood Donor Honor Roll will be on display at the Summer Meeting and will then travel through Washington district by district under the schedule and watchful eye of the community activity director. It will be on display at the Winter Meeting and at the Regional Meetings. Prior to the State Convention, it will be updated with the name of knights and family members who have achieved these requirements.

The Honor Roll will be used in the districts and councils to aid them in their local blood drives. It could serve as an incentive for all to emulate and as a public recognition for those dedicated individuals who have achieved these levels.