American Red Cross Sets A Healthy Table At The L. A. County Fair

Red Cross enters Tablescaping competition to illustrate a tasty, iron-rich breakfast for blood donors.

LOS ANGELES COUNTY (08/29/2008)(readMedia)-- American Red Cross Blood Services, Southern California Region has set a tasty and healthy table as part of the Los Angeles County Fair's Tablescaping competition and invites you to stop by to see what's for breakfast September 5 through September 28, 2008.

"We entered the Tablescaping contest because we thought it would be a fun, entertaining way to expose the public to the value and need for volunteer blood donations," explains Jerrie Dean, manager of volunteer services for American Red Cross Blood Services, Southern California Region. "The menu is made up of iron-rich foods to help donors understand the importance of taking good care of themselves, before they share their gift of life."

The Tablescaping contest, hosted by L. A. County Fair/ Culinary Styles, invites individuals to design the perfect table to match one of four themes: Breakfast at Tiffany's; Is Chocolate a Food Group?; It's a Global Market; and, Think Green Sustainability. All entries in the Tablescaping competition will be evaluated based on Creativity, Originality, Use of Color, Interpretation of Theme, Correctness and Presentation.

The new Viewers Choice Award encourages all L.A. County Fair visitors to preview the entries and vote for your favorite Tablescaping place setting. The Viewers Choice Award will be selected on September 28, 2008 at 2 p.m.

"If we gain any new blood donors through this table story, then we have won the contest," Dean continues.

The American Red Cross encourages Southern California residents to donate blood. Any healthy person age 17 or older (age 16 when accompanied by a parent) and weighing at least 110 pounds may be eligible to donate.

All eligible donors are asked to schedule an appointment to donate blood by calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) or by visiting givelife.org. To organize a blood drive call 1-800-491-2113. For Spanish, please call 1-866-POR-VIDA (1-866-767-8432) or visit cruzrojaamericana.org.

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