Church Receives Top Award for Blood Drive of the Year

COLTON>> Every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood. That is more often than the average person blinks, and although one in four people will require a blood transfusion in their life, less than 10 percent donate blood annually. On Friday, Nov. 18, the World Mission Society Church of God aspired to change these statistics of those and in turn received the Top LifeStream Award for the blood drive of the year. During the Blood Drive Chair Recognition Event, the church was acknowledged for their great efforts and presented with a plaque as a token of thanks. Elder Hector, an overseer for the Church of God, gave words of gratitude and thanks for the reward as he was the representative recipient on behalf of the church members. He expressed that the 2.5 million members of the Church of God will continue to give helping hands to the 7 billion neighbors as the Good Samaritan and deliver the love of God Elohim. Churches from San Diego, Riverside and Garden Grove collectively gathered more than 400 donors. Hector also thanked LifeStream for being proactive in raising awareness of the need for donations and showing the importance of saving a life. Some staff even traveled 2 hours to gather donations and were praised for their pleasant and happy attitudes which allowed a more environment, especially for first time donors. “Their eagerness and determination to collect blood to share life, drives the World Mission Society Church of God to share the Passover of the New Covenant so that people can receive eternal life through the blood of Christ," Hector said. "As the scripture says, ‘Let your light shine before men, so that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.' This inspires all 2,500 churches worldwide to do blood drives, worldwide cleanup movements, sock drives for the poor, food drives for those in need, support children with autism, earthquake and disaster relief volunteer service.” During the event, a video was shown highlighting the collective volunteer efforts and past recognition of the members. The church was honored with the U.S. President’s Volunteer Service Award three times in 2011, 2014 and 2015 and even acknowledged by the United Nations, receiving a call to service from former president Barack Obama. Most recently, the church accepted the prestigious Queen’s Award of the United Kingdom for Voluntary Service. The faith group encourages neighbors in the community to participate in upcoming events and study the Bible at their church in Colton, located at 1401 S. Mt. Vernon Ave.