As the blood drive ended, the donor recruitment representative for downtown Columbus had one wish. “I want them to come back in two years!” Norma Wasserstrom said of the Mennonites gathered for the convention.

Wasserstrom said she wished they would have extended the hours and days of the blood drive that concluded on Thursday.

“We had such a wonderful reception,” she said. “Only a handful of people didn’t show up.”

The drive boasted 62 productive donations on Wednesday, with the final number for Thursday unavailable because of the holiday weekend. Wasserstrom estimates between 70 and 75 donations for the day.

She also described the challenge of hosting a drive without having donors sign up further in advance. “It’s hard for us to (add beds) at the last minute,” she  said.

Yet, the timing of the donation of more than 100 units of blood is excellent as the American Red Cross prepares for the Fourth of July weekend.

Wasserstrom also plans to see what Mennonite churches are in the area for future collaboration. If you were unable to give blood and would like to, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE for a list of drive locations near the convention center.