Thankful For Volunteers

Thanksgiving Day is a day for giving thanks but it is also a day just for giving. News On 6 reporter Dan Bewley reports on two Tulsa residents who gave their share Thursday. One helped the Red Cross,

Thursday, November 22nd 2007, 12:51 pm

By: News On 6

Thanksgiving Day is a day for giving thanks but it is also a day just for giving. News On 6 reporter Dan Bewley reports on two Tulsa residents who gave their share Thursday. One helped the Red Cross, while the other helped the Salvation Army.

One man has given so much blood he has an American Red Cross donation center named in his honor.

While a Tulsa mom hopes Thanksgiving Day can be a lesson in service for her children. The mom, Lisa Coy is on a mission, delivering turkey day lunch to those in need. For two years in a row, Lisa Coy has volunteered at the Salvation Army at 102 North Denver on Thanksgiving Day.

â€œThere are a lot of people in this world that are less fortunate than we are and it's our opportunity to serve them,â€ said Lisa Coy.

Coy is not alone this year, her husband, two teenage sons, a brother and sister-in-law and their daughter join hundreds of volunteers to help the Salvation Army give green beans and a slice of pie to thousands who may not otherwise get a warm holiday meal.

â€œSatisfaction that we did something good today and it wasn't just about us,â€ said Lisa Coy.

On the other side of town is Darwin Eaton.

â€œI've been blessed with good health, so I'd like to spread it around. I hope someone else can enjoy a little good health,â€ said Darwin Eaton.

He has done just that by giving blood nearly all of his life.

â€œFifty-eight years, since 1949,â€ said Darwin Eaton.

Eaton even has his own plaque on the wall and the Red Cross donation center at 71st and Memorial is named in his honor.

â€œI got in a habit. Just like getting a haircut or something,â€ said Darwin Eaton.

His donation is more than a just a clean cut. Thursday's visit totals 315 pints of blood donated by Eaton. When you consider each pint saves three people, Eaton has touched 945 lives in five and a half decades. In addition, this 85-year old is not done yet.

â€œI'll put it on the calendar, eight weeks from now I'll come back,â€ said Darwin Eaton.

Lisa Coy also hopes her effort has an impact. If nothing else, she says, her kids are learning a valuable lesson.

â€œIt's not monetary it's time. So some people can give money, some people can give their time and we're just trying to show our kids that you can do both,â€ said Lisa Coy.

The American Red Cross donation center will be open this weekend; they say donated blood is especially need during the holidays.

The Salvation Army is thankful for Thursday's volunteers but officials say they serve meals year-round and are always in need of volunteers.

Watch the video: Sharing Thanksgiving Day With Others

Related story:

11/22/2007 Red Cross Looking For Blood Donors Over Holiday Weekend