OCEAN CITY, Md. – The Blood Bank of Delmarva (BBD) Ocean City Blood Drive traditionally attracts a base of local donors along with some new donors  who come out each year to give back to the local community by donating at the Delmarva Peninsula’s largest drive of the year.

Such was the case with the 26th annual Ocean City Blood Drive held, per tradition, at the Roland E. Powell Convention Center from January 27-29. The three-day event brought out 506 donors willing to save lives in simple, yet profound way. That led to 553 units of blood being collected, including double red cell donations.

Among the veteran donors coming out were the two most famous donors of the Ocean City Blood Drive, Joseph “Skin” Delany and Bonnie “Leopard Print Lady’ Oliverio. Simply put, the Ocean City Blood Drive would not be the same without them.

Delany donated double red cells on day one, and he appreciates that he’s blessed enough to be able to give back. Oliverio donated on day two and came dressed to the nines in her leopard coat and leopard shoes. 

In the café post-donation, Oliverio sat with her friend, Lynn Donnelly, who had been deferred on Monday, but triumphantly returned on Tuesday to successfully donate. 

Also among the traditional donors were Susan Petito, the Parks and Recreation director for the Town of Ocean City; James Grady, who retired as a captain with the Ocean City Police Department and now works for the Worcester County Sheriff; Mark Paddack, a former Ocean City councilman and police officer who spread the word about the Ocean City Blood Drive all over social media and about town; Kimberly Grimes, an O positive donor; Tim Hite, who gave Blood Collection Tech Shannon Quinn his trademark, “I can only please one person a day; today is not your day” card as a ruse; Mark and Viki McCowan, who donate every year in Ocean City; Jeffrey Matthias, who instills the value of donating blood into his children; and Rebecca Mais, an O negative donor who has been to just about every Ocean City Blood Drive.

This year, Mais came with her sister, O positive donor Kimberly Grimes, who gave for the second time in Ocean City, and Grimes’ husband, Marco Fernandez, who gave here for the first time.

“It’s nice just to be able to help out,” Mais said. “I have two sons who are O negative, and my husband is O positive. It’s just something you can do, and you get a snack when you leave.”

Speaking of newer donors, this year’s drive also saw relative newcomers return, including Carolyn Lupo and her daughter, Emily Williams, who enjoy donating together at this drive. Williams first donated at the Ocean City Blood Drive on January 23, 2023 with her mother, and she has returned every year since with her mom. The donating duo have also visited the Dagsboro Donor Center a few times in between.

In addition, Brittany Grove and Amy Casey, who first donated together at the Ocean City Blood Drive in 2023, came back after they saw their 2023 photo posted to BBD’s social media channels.

“I saw that, and I said, well we’ve got to come back!” Grove said.

In addition, Crystal Collins, who works at WBOC and sees the annual DelmarvaLife show that mentions the Ocean City Blood Drive, came back. She’s been donating at Ocean City since 2022.

“I just enjoy giving back,” Collins said.

Last but not least, the Ocean City Blood Drive traditionally draws several local realtors as well, including Terry “the King” Riley, who donated this year, per tradition, and Karla Morgan, a member of the Coastal Association of REALTORS®.

Aside from all the wonderful donors, Ocean City Lions Club officers Bill Christmas and Greg Cathell presented BBD leadership with a $1,000 donation on Monday, and the Knights of Columbus Council #9503 followed up with a $500 donation Tuesday presented by Richard Thomas.

On Monday, Ocean City Mayor Richard Meehan presented a proclamation recognizing the 26th Annual Ocean City Blood Drive as well as National Blood Donor Month. BBD Executive Director Steve Corse, Director of Donor Services Megan Johnson, and Director of Donor Recruitment Joanna Arat thanked Mayor Meehan for the town’s kindness.

This year’s blood drive was made possible in part by Town of Ocean City, Md., Roland E. Powell Convention Center, Knight of Columbus Council #9503, the Ocean City Lions Club, Greater Ocean City, Maryland Chamber of Commerce, Ocean Pines Chamber of Commerce, Stonebridge  Companies, and Kiwanis Club of Greater Ocean Pines/Ocean City. 
 
Thank you as well to the annual support from the local business community, notably, Dough Roller, Candy Kitchen, Coffee Beanery, Wockenfuss Candies, Tru by Hilton, Walmart, and Bayside.