Harold Montague
A Life of Giving Leads to a Life-Changing Surprise: Harold Montague Wins Big For over 30 years, Harold Montague has quietly and consistently given one of the most precious gifts a person can offer: the gift of life through blood donation. A retired teacher, long-time community volunteer, and blood drive coordinator, Harold has never sought recognition—but in a twist of fate, recognition came looking for him.
Earlier this year, Harold had reached out to the local Vitalant chapter in Redding, CA, to ask if his church could host a couple of community blood drives in 2025. They agreed, and Harold took the lead in helping coordinator the first one, which took place in July. Unbeknownst to him, July was also the month for Vitalant’s annual Car Giveaway. Harold gave a double-red donation during the blood drive he helped organize. A month later, he was stunned to receive the call that he had been selected as the 2025 Car Giveaway Winner.
Harold’s dedication to blood donation started more than three decades ago, driven by a simple desire to “pay it forward.” As the Spanish teacher and Activities Coordinator at Modoc High School in the late 1980s, he saw an opportunity to educate and inspire students by organizing school blood drives. Over his 35-year teaching career, Harold helped coordinate 2-3 student blood drives every year, helping instill a spirit of community service in generations of young people.
“I’ve never had to receive blood,” he says, “but I know if I ever did, I’d be incredibly grateful to the donors. Donating takes very little time, but it can save a life. It’s such an easy way to give back anonymously.”
Driving Off into the Sunset
Though the Montagues had already picked out the kind of car they hoped to buy in a few years, winning the Vitalant drawing fast-tracked their plans. They found the perfect match with a RAV4 Hybrid Woodland Edition. The entire process was completed in just over two weeks.Harold Montague didn’t start donating blood to win prizes—he did it because he cared. His story is a reminder that even the simplest acts of service can have incredible ripple effects. Coordinating local blood drives, encouraging young donors, and staying committed to the cause for over three decades—Harold's dedication has undoubtedly helped save countless lives.
Thank you, Harold, for over 35 years of spreading the importance of donating blood to students and for being a dedicated blood donor!
Ami Waters
For the past three years, I’ve had the privilege of coordinating the blood drive at Ovey Comeaux High School in Lafayette, Louisiana. While I don’t have a personal story of a loved one needing blood, my reason for doing this is simple: I believe in the power of community and the importance of teaching our students that small actions can have a big impact. Every year, I watch our students step up—not just by donating blood, but also by volunteering their time to help run the drive. Many of them are surprised to learn that one donation can help save up to three lives, and it’s incredible to see the pride they feel knowing they’ve made a real difference. Those moments, when students walk away realizing the impact they’ve had, are what make this effort so meaningful to me. To me, the blood drive is about more than collecting units of blood. These students are learning, often for the first time, that they can change lives in their own community and beyond. It’s my hope that these experiences will inspire them to continue giving, volunteering, and looking for ways to help others long after they graduate. Coordinating the blood drive has become one of the highlights of my role at Ovey Comeaux High School. Each drive reminds me that what we’re doing is bigger than a single event—it’s a movement of kindness. Together, our students, staff, and donors are demonstrating that when a community comes together, even the smallest actions can make a significant impact and save lives. Thank you, Ami, for teaching our nation’s future the importance of civic duty and blood donation!
John Paul Roboski
John Paul’s blood donation journey started as a sophomore in high school, but he didn’t make time for it again until he was asked to coordinate a biannual blood drive at his job. He works at a MedTech company that makes both the bags used for collecting blood and the machine used for Power Red donations. John Paul enjoyed witnessing the products he sees being built and tested put into action for their real purpose of blood donation. He then began learning about the blood shortages, how blood is used, and just how truly important it is to give. “I’m blessed with good health, and as I recruited employees to participate in the on-site blood drives, I was struck by how many people could donate but don’t: whether because of inconvenience or fear of needles”, said John Paul. Yet he recognized that small sacrifice of time and comfort literally has the power to save someone’s life. “Some paperwork, a prick and a pinch to save a life? Count me in. If I would be willing to receive someone else’s blood in an emergency, how could I turn down such a simple yet crucial opportunity to give when I’m healthy, young, and certainly have the time?” John Paul believes that donating is a behind-the-scenes way of giving to others, but it’s also something that no amount of money or technology can create—blood must come from a donor.
Earlier this year, John Paul also learned how critical platelets are for the treatment and management of cancer patients. “That hit home for me because my mom died from pancreatic cancer two years ago. In January, I set a goal to donate platelets or blood once a month this year, and so far, I’ve been able to keep it! As long as I am healthy enough to donate, I will continue to make it a priority. Thank you to all of the staff, drivers, coordinators and donors who contribute to saving lives. It is a gift to participate in the difference Vitalant makes”, said John Paul.
Thank you, John Paul, for educating yourself and others on the importance of donating blood, not just once, but as long as you’re able!
Summer Mitchell
I am the Benefits Supervisor for Elk Grove Unified School District and a focus for my team this year is engaging our employees in wellness. Part of that initiative is hosting blood drives. We have hosted two drives in 2025 and have endeavored to host one every 4 months moving forward. It is a great way to engage our employees while also serving our community. This partnership with Vitalant is very dear to my heart. In 2024 I lost my brother unexpectedly. He was an organ donor, and our loss gave life to countless others. His major organs were all donated, as well as skin and eyes, and some went to medical studies at USC. I had been a blood donor prior to that experience, but since losing my brother it has become even more important to me to advocate for both post-mortem donation and blood/plasma donation. The ripple effect of donation really is immeasurable, and it means a lot to me to be able to coordinate the efforts of the EGUSD. Thank you, Summer, for carrying on our brother’s legacy by hosting blood drives and saving countless lives!
Stefanie Doaty
Meet Stefanie Doaty. She’s a familiar voice on the phone and a friendly face at the blood drives she coordinators. Her kindness and dedication make all the difference! Not only is she a mom and full-time surgical technician, she’s also president of her local Lion’s Club and she took the reins of coordinating their community blood drive. Since doing so, the blood drive has grown in participation, exceeding goals and ensuring that more lives are saved. Stefanie works tirelessly every 8 weeks promoting the blood drive getting donors to schedule appointments. She even encouraged her son to donate at his high school last year after he turned 16. Young donors are the future of our nation’s blood supply, so we are thankful for her encouragement!“It’s so fun and easy. Especially when you have such a great crew,” said Stefanie.
Thank you, Stefanie and the Hill City Lion’s Club, for accepting the call to coordinate! You are awesome!