Longtime Red Cross volunteers step down,
recall years of service
HEIDI MIRTH
Staff Writer
Anyone from Cokato who has participated in a
blood drive will likely recognize Margaret Salo, Shir-
ley Peterson, and Ruth Schmieg.
“All the people who come [to the drives] all the
time, you get to know them,” said Peterson.
And no wonder. For over a decade, these three
women have made up the Red Cross volunteer com-
mittee in Cokato.
The three joined the committee at different times,
but for similar reasons.
“I was just recently retired, so I had the time,” said
Salo. “And I felt it was kind of good to give back.”
Together, they have spent many weeks each year or-
ganizing Cokato’s tri-annual blood drives. They make
calls to line up appointments, fi ll out paperwork, and
sign people in at the event.
They jokingly agreed that people “shouldn’t retire,
because you’re going to get a job!”
Now, after 18 and 10 years of service, respectively,
Salo and Peterson are stepping down from their volun-
teer duties for health reasons.
Schmieg plans to remain on the committee for the
time being, and is joined by newcomers Theresa Wolb
and Grace Nelson.
Wolb, a long-time donor, said she’s excited to be on
the committee. Since she retired, she’s felt like she
should do something for the community.
Volunteering for the blood drives, “You feel like
you’re giving back,” Wolb said. “There aren’t many
families you run across that haven’t had a need for
blood somewhere along the way, and they say there’s
always a shortage of it.”
Salo and Peterson added that the need was the pri-
mary reason they volunteered, as well.
“To see a way for [people] to get the blood they
need,” was fulfi lling, Peterson said.
“It’s been a good experience,” agreed Salo. “Get-
ting to know the donors, and knowing how much the
blood drives help patients in hospitals, realizing how
much is needed. We take it for granted sometimes,
when we aren’t involved.”
The drive this past October was Salo’s fi rst missed
drive since she’s been on the committee, but she’s re-
mained involved in training the new volunteers.
“If I have a question, I still call her,” said Wolb.
Red Cross Communications manager Sue Thesenga
praised Salo and Peterson for their years of service.
“When you think about the dedication these ladies
have, it’s really quite impressive. They did a really
outstanding job. Our blood program is so important in
our outlying communities. Without these volunteers,
we wouldn’t be able to come to these communities to
host blood drives,” stated Thesenga.
Despite their own years of service, the committee
was mostly full of gratitude toward others.
“Our donors are so dedicated. You
see the same people. Everytime, they’re
there. People are really willing,” said
Salo.
“It takes a community,” said Schmieg,
noting that the Legion Auxilliary and
many of the area’s churches help out
as well, including Cokato First Baptist,
which hosts the drives every year, free
of charge.
“There’s a lot behind it, a lot of people
backing it in the community,” Schmieg
said, adding, “They’re so loyal about
giving blood in this community; it’s
wonderful.”
Schmieg said it’s sad to see Salo and
Peterson go, but “It’s been good. They’ve
been good to work with.”
The committee is currently seek-
ing new members, in the event that
Schmieg should decide to step down at
some point in the future.
“We would welcome one or two more
people [on our committee],” said Wolb.
Those interested in volunteering can
contact Theresa Wolb at 320-286-5398
for more information.
Senior Connections HJ.COM
Cokato Red Cross volunteers include: front – Ruth Schmieg, Margaret
Salo, Shirley Peterson; back – Theresa Wolb and Grace Nelson. Salo and
Peterson are stepping down after more than a decade of volunteering.
Schmieg, also a longtime volunteer, is joined by newcomers Wolb and
Nelson.
Senior
PHOTO BY HEIDI MIRTH
Connections Jan/Feb 2020
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