Thanks to everyone who participated in the 2nd annual Harry Wagner Foundation blood and bone Marrow drive. We collected 78 units of blood, had 15 first time blood donors, and signed up 36 people to the National Bone Marrow Registry.
My thanks go out to all the volunteers and attendees that helped make this event a success.
BLOOD DRIVE HONORS MAN'S GENEROUS SPIRIT
Date: September 22, 2002 Edition(s): GREENSBORO
Page: B4 Section: TRIAD/STATE
Source: ELLICA CHURCH Staff Writer
Dateline: HIGH POINT
A photo collage of Harry Wagner was posted on the First Baptist Church gym door. Each picture showed a glimpse of his life: relaxing with friends at Myrtle Beach, playing with his grandchildren in the snow or vacationing with his wife and children.
In each photo, Wagner had a twinkle in his eye and a cheerful smile. Family and friends gave his life true meaning, said longtime friend Marvin Miller. So when the successful businessman died of leukemia last year, they wanted to honor Wagner's memory and zeal for life by giving back to the community.
The Harry Wagner Foundation emerged and, in addition to working with local charities, the nonprofit sponsors a blood and bone marrow registry drive.
``Harry was a very charismatic and successful man who enjoyed taking care of people, whether he knew them or not,'' Miller said. ``But he also liked to have a good time, and this event allows us to bring these things together.''
Laughter and conversation mingled with the sounds of choral music and the energetic routines of a martial arts stunt team. An eclectic mix, but Wagner would have enjoyed the lively atmosphere of Saturday's drive at First Baptist Church in High Point.
Door prizes and T-shirts reading ``Let the good times roll,'' one of Wagner's favorite sayings, awaited the more than 70 people who donated blood. Half those who donated blood also enrolled in the bone marrow registry program, an important resource for people battling leukemia.
Ray, Wagner's son, hopes the annual event will boost awareness about donation. and encourage people get involved. Giving blood or bone marrow is not the complicated process people picture, Ray said; it's an easy way to help save lives.
Amber Wagner, whose parents were friends with Harry Wagner, was a first-time blood donor Saturday.
She thought it would be a fitting tribute for someone who personally affected her life.
``I had thought about giving blood before, but I'm glad I decided to give today,'' Amber said. ``It's something I'll continue to do and it gives me a special way to honor Harry's memory.''
Hello Everybody...................have I got great news for you.
The Harry Wagner Foundation has three big announcements,
number one,.....We have committed a $30,000 pledge to funding the new teen center at the High Point YMCA and it will be named "The Harry R. Wagner Teen Center" in memory of our wonderful friend who died so young. Thank you guys so much for your donations and help in making this happen. I am sure Harry is looking down on us with a big smile right now.
Secondly, how do we make this happen. Part of it has already happened thru the initial donations we received from you and other friends. From that we have given the YMCA our initial annual contribution of $3000. The rest we will raise each year thru one main fund raising effort which this year will be "The Harry R. Wagner Casino Night" fund raiser event on Saturday night, May 3rd at the High Point Moose Lodge.
This will be a great event which will include an exquisite dinner selection of four food stations including hand carved roast turkey, individually hand prepared to order pasta dishes, and a large selection of fresh garden vegetables, imported and domestic cheeses, assorted breads, garnishes and dips.
We will also have two bars with beer, wine, and liqueur. These will be cash bars but each ticket purchased will include at least one free "adult Beverage."
A professional DJ will be playing all night and the big attraction will be a full casino night set up. We have hired a professional party company to set up 14 tables of blackjack, roulette, and craps for your hands on entertainment. Each ticket purchased for the night will entitle the guest to receive $20,000 in "Harry Bucks." These bucks can be used to play at the table games and at the end of the evening we will hold an auction where you use your winnings to bid on auction items.
The cost for a ticket is just $50.00 per person which includes dinner, free drink, music all night and an exciting evening at "Harry's Casino." All proceeds go to the Harry Wagner Foundation for charitable purposes.
This is a great deal and we want you to be there. Please mark your calendar for Saturday. May 3rd as your night for us to all be together and remember our great friend.
Last but not least, the next Harry Wagner Blood Mobil and Bone Marrow Screening Drive is scheduled for Saturday, May 17th at the YMCA. Please start thinking about being there on that day to help us out. Thanks.
Jimmy Gibson