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Friday, 9 September, 2011 10:48 PM

Spirit of America blood drive is on: Nation's largest 9/11 blood drive set for Sunday

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BROOKLYN, Mich. — Michigan International Speedway remains committed to honoring the victims and heroes of 9-11 and will host its annual blood drive with workers from the Great Lakes Region of the American Red Cross.

Those who signed up for appointments should attend the blood drive during their scheduled appointment time.

“We are very pleased there will be an end to the strike and that our blood drive will continue,” Spirit of America organizer and MIS Director of Guest Services Tim Booth said. “The Spirit of America blood drive has evolved into more than a blood drive, but the opportunity to give blood in remembrance of one of America’s darkest days is at the heart of our event.”

There are many activities planned, all which honor the 10th anniversary of the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The Spirit of America has evolved into more than just a blood drive. It’s an event and a time of reflection.

This year, all presenting donors will receive a Spirit of America gift bag, Culver’s lunch in the Champions Club presented by CP Federal Credit Union, and a track tour, which features Unity Field and Home of the Brave, a 9-11 multi-media exhibit.

During the tour, donors will get an up-close view of more than 3,000 American flags proudly displayed at Unity Field to honor the victims of 9-11. The flags, representing victims of the 9-11 attacks, are placed in the speedway’s Lot 10 by veterans from local American Legion chapters.

With the 10th anniversary of 9-11, the Spirit of America blood drive will feature a special tribute throughout the weekend. From 9 p.m. through midnight Friday through Sunday, Unity Field will feature a single beam of light pointed straight to the sky in a tribute to the victims of 9-11. “Ray of Remembrance” will be visible from many of the surrounding communities of MIS and people are encouraged to visit the “Ray of Remembrance,” which will be proudly displayed in Unity Field.

Unity Field and the “Ray of Remembrance” tribute are free and open to the public.

Also, a bagpiper will play “Amazing Grace” throughout the MIS property throughout the morning at six Sept. 11 moments, starting at 8:46 a.m. when American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Center North Tower.

Here’s the complete schedule for the bagpiper. Items with an asterisk are open to the general public (anyone not giving blood):

8:46 a.m. Unity Field*
American Airlines Flight 11 crashes into the World Trade Center’s north tower

9:02 a.m. Heroes’ Hall*
United Airlines Flight 175 crashes into the World Trade Center’s south tower

9:37 a.m. Champion’s Club
American Airlines Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon

9:58 a.m. Michigan Room
The south tower of the World Trade Center collapse

10:03 a.m. Unity Field*
United Airlines Flight 93 crashes in Shanksville, Pa.

10:28 a.m. Heroes’ Hall*
The north tower of the World Trade Center collapsesAnyone may come to Unity Field. Only blood donors with scheduled appointments will receive a gift bag and lunch. All blood drive appointments are full.

Since its inception in 2002, the Spirit of America Blood Drive has grown into one of the largest 9-11 blood drives in the nation with more than 1,300 pints of blood collected just last year. In the past nine years, more than 7,546 pints of blood have been collected at the Spirit of America drive, positively affecting more than 22,638 lives.

Sponsors of the ninth annual Spirit of America Blood Drive include: Allegra, Advance America, Americrown, Be The Match, Brooklyn-Irish Hills Chamber of Commerce, Chevy Trucks, C&L Sanitation, Coke, Culver’s, DDM Marketing & Communications, FOX 47, Gift of Life, Jackson Coffee Company, Jackson Community Ambulance, Kiwanis, Kohl’s, Michigan CAT, Prestige Promotional Products, Print Tech, Richard Petty Driving Experience and The Home Depot.

Source: Michigan International Speedway