National honor awarded

Toyota: 'Corporation of the Year'

The company is renowned worldwide for its focus on efficiency and just-in-time manufacturing. So, when other businesses claim they don’t have time to host a blood drive, the Kentucky Blood Center highlights its most prolific donor group up as an example to follow.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky was spotlighted nationally for its commitment to blood donation when it was named Corporation of the Year by America’s Blood Centers March 16 in Washington, D.C. Dan May, a human resources specialist with Toyota who is their blood drive chairperson and a KBC board member, accepted the award at a ceremony there.

“Toyota has worked tirelessly with the blood center to ensure that every team member has the opportunity to donate blood regularly,” said William S. Reed, KBC President & CEO.  He explained that blood drives are held three times a year for all shifts at the factory.

“They’re extremely deserving of this award,” Reed said. “The depth of their commitment is unparalleled.”

The award is given by America’s Blood Centers, a national association of non-profit community blood centers, to the company recognized as the finest corporate example of blood donation support.

At the factory in Georgetown, an astonishing 21 percent of its employees are regular blood donors, more than four times the national average. In the general population, only five percent of the public donates blood.

The factory’s 20-year commitment to the blood center is extensive:

·        134 week-long blood drives beginning since 1988 (670 days of actual drawing).

·         Over 40,300 productive units drawn.

·         Now hosts three week-long blood drives annually.

·        Financial contributions to the blood center in excess of $250,000.

· Executive management support of blood center community activities and Board of Director membership.

“Each team member is off the line for about an hour to donate blood, so it is a serious commitment by the company,” said May.  “We recognize the need for a safe and adequate blood supply.”

In addition to its blood drives, Toyota has supported the blood center in other ways. Toyota’s $250,000 financial contribution in 2005 was essential for KBC to begin construction of its state-of-the-art Lexington headquarters that was completed in 2007.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky is the largest Toyota manufacturing and assembly plant in North America.  Their facility consists of over 7.5 million square feet situated on 1,300 acres just north of Lexington, Kentucky.  The facility currently employs 7,000 team members.

Big Blue Slam 2009

Kentucky 2366, Florida 2173

Kentucky Beats Florida

Kentucky blood donors proved their passion for the Wildcats - and saving lives - by turning out in force for the inaugural BIG BLUE SLAM, handily beating fans of the University of Florida Gators.

Kentucky had 2,366 blood donors while Florida had 2,173 donors during the eight-day competition.

Kentucky Blood center and Florida's LifeSouth blood center in Gainesville have agreed to repeat the competition again in 2010.

In addition to saving lives, eight Kentucky donors won Wildcat Fan Packs. They were:

Monday, Feb. 2

Darren M., Lexington

 

Tuesday, Feb. 3

Tiffany A., Jamestown

 

Wednesday, Feb. 4

Amanda M., Somerset

 

Thursday, Feb. 5

Arthur M., Lexington

 

Friday, Feb. 6

Elizabeth R., Somerset

 

Saturday, Feb. 7

Sue W., Nicholasville

 

Sunday, Feb. 8

John B., Lexington

 

Monday, Feb. 9

Jimmy M., Flat Gap