Crime & Safety
Soto Birthday Blood Drive Set For Monday
Event will help benefit Lorain County Blue Foundation
The Pete Soto Birthday Blood Drive will be held Monday from 3-8 p.m. at in Avon to benefit the Lorain County Blue Foundation.
The blood drive was created to honor Soto who was critically injured in an on-duty crash of his police motorcycle in October 2010. Soto suffered a shattered pelvis, lacerated spleen and broken leg.
Officer Soto was a loyal blood and platelets donor and a blood drive soon after the accident gathered more than 200 units of blood.
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“We hope that maybe we can make his day an annual event,” John Guzik, a Sotto friend and event organizer, said. “This was something that was near and dear to his heart. He was such an avid blood donor and platelets donor.”
Guzik emphasizes that anyone can come whether they’re giving blood or not and help build the gathering into a community event.
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The blood drive will also feature a DJ on the patio, prizes and raffles. LoCo Blue T-shirts will also be sold, and 10 percent of all dining bills will go to the LoCo Blue Fund.
Officer Soto, who had his birthday Tuesday, will be on hand for the blood drive and a birthday cake will be presented.
The non-profit LoCo Blue Foundation was created to assist Lorain County law enforcement officers injured on duty and the families of officers killed on duty.