Father is her inspiration for giving blood
GEORGETOWN, KENTUCKY, (August 4, 2008) —A casual conversation with her father prompted a TMMK Quality Control team leader to dedicate her life towards helping others. Lorrie Meacham estimates that she has given four gallons of blood through TMMK-sponsored blood drives that are held three times a year at the Georgetown facility.
Since arriving at TMMK in June 1988, Meacham has represented her Quality Control section in every blood drive the company has conducted, and even gave at additional blood drives in the community. The desire to give is spawned by her late father, retired Army SFC Richard Rider. Rider always told his daughter that he gave blood in the military to be an example for his troops. In fact, Rider became so active in blood donation that his estimated blood donation totaled six gallons during his lifetime. After his death in 2003, Meacham focused on setting her own personal goal of reaching six gallons. “Since his passing, it has been even more important for me to surpass his goal,” Meacham explained.
Meacham encourages others to give blood and notes that it’s really not that big a deal.
“Here at TMMK, management makes it easy and convenient on our work schedule to give blood and all I had to do was give 20 minutes of my time,” she added. “There is no telling how many people I have helped in their moment of tragedy or need.”
Six gallons of blood is very obtainable for Meacham, who guesses she’ll reach the milestone in the next four years. Meacham says, “What started out as a simple conversation with my dad has encouraged me to give back to the community time and time again.” She added, “Every time I give I think of him, it’s my way of being his living legacy.”
TMMK is Toyota’s largest North American manufacturing facility. TMMK manufactures the number one selling Camry sedan, along with the Avalon, Solara Coupe and Solara Convertible. The plant employs approximately 7,000 full time team members.
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Contact:
Kerry Holt
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc.
502-868-3577 |
