Houska Automotive to host Halloween-themed blood drive

Piper Russell

October 26, 2021

Illustration of a group of friends, one being a person, the second a demon, and the third a ghost holding up a peace sign — (Graphic Illustration by Trin Bonner | The Collegian)

Houska Automotive, an auto repair shop in Fort Collins, will host their annual Halloween-themed blood drive Oct. 29 from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the UCHealth Garth Englund Blood Center — Fort Collins.

Donations will take place inside the donor room and in two mobile blood buses.

Donors are encouraged to come in costume. Donors also need to be 18 years old or above — 17-year-olds are allowed with a parent’s permission, but all ages are required to show photo identification.

“It kind of turns into a party rather than just a regular blood drive,” said Dennis Houska, second-generation owner and current president of Houska Automotive. “So a lot of people come in costume and (are) just out to have a good time.”

It’s such a good feeling to be a part of it and know that you’re helping other people out.” –Dennis Houska, president of Houska Automotive

The blood drive is a tradition for Houska Automotive, and this year will be the 20th blood drive they’ve done.

Dennis Houska began donating blood at the Garth Englund Blood Center in 1978. LJ Houska, vice president and general manager of Houska Automotive, said his father, Dennis, started the blood drive after an experience donating bone marrow received by an 8-year-old boy.

LJ Houska explained that it was this donation that started it all, and the blood drives began from there.

Since it began, Houska Automotive’s Halloween blood drive has accumulated over “680 blood donations and new donors,” according to a press release emailed to The Collegian.

Connie Hanrahan, founder of Mantooth Marketing & Events Company, said the goal is to fill all the sign-up spots, which they’re close to doing this year. As of Oct. 26, there were 89 donors signed up.

“This event is always successful,” Hanrahan said. “If we have only one donor, we’ve made the difference in someone else’s life.”

Hanrahan has helped promote the blood drive for the past 15 years.

“The Houska (Zombie) Blood Drive means a lot to me,” Hanrahan said. “I used to just enjoy getting in costume and showing up to give blood. A few years ago, I saw firsthand how important it is to have blood on hand for those in need. This is a wonderful community event that the Houska family is so committed to, and I’m grateful for their commitment.”

People who donate a pint of blood will receive a gift card for a pint of ale at CooperSmith’s Pub & Brewery, and all participants will have a chance to win a free set of four Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company tires.

Participants can sign up on Houska Automotive’s SignUpGenius. Due to the pandemic, participation in the blood drive requires masks and appointments.

“One donation can save up to three people’s lives,” Dennis Houska said. “It’s such a good feeling to be a part of it and know that you’re helping other people out. We just want to be able to pass that on to other people and give them the opportunity to donate and have that good feeling too.”

Reach Piper Russell at news@collegian.com or on Twitter @PiperRussell10.

About the Contributors

Piper Russell, News Editor

Piper Russell is one of The Collegian’s news editors this year and is thrilled to be working in the role. She started as a news reporter her sophomore year, covering news happening around the Colorado State University campus and the Fort Collins community. She continued to cover CSU and Fort Collins news as well as the Associated Students of CSU during her junior year. Russell is now a senior double majoring in journalism and media communication and Spanish. Although she began college undeclared, she quickly discovered her passion for journalism through the classes she took at CSU and her work at The Collegian. She’s always loved all things involving reading and writing, so working at The Collegian ended up being the perfect fit. As news editor, Russell ensures The Collegian covers important CSU and Fort Collins news accurately, truthfully and thoroughly. The Collegian has already given her many opportunities to hone her writing and reporting skills. She is very grateful and excited to have a leadership position at The Collegian, which will allow her to continue to grow as a reporter and editor. As well as writing, Russell can be found skiing, hiking, rafting and doing pretty much anything else outdoors, as she’s from the mountains. She loves traveling and hopes to do more of it in the future. She will also read any book she can get her hands on.

Trin Bonner, Illustration Director

Trin Bonner is the illustration editor for The Collegian newspaper. This will be her fourth year in the position, and she loves being a part of the creative and amazing design team of The Collegian. As the illustration editor, Bonner provides creative insight and ideas that bring the newspaper the best graphics and illustrations possible. She loves working with artists to develop fun and unique weekly illustrations for readers. She enjoys helping the illustrators on her desk explore and expand their artistic abilities as well as challenge their skills with every edition. Bonner is a senior studying graphic design and electronic art and is also a community coordinator for Aggie Village Apartments on Colorado State University's campus. She finds immense joy in illustration and comic creation. She hopes to explore more in the realm of graphic design and video game design as she approaches the end of her undergraduate experience. Trin spends her free time crocheting, doing beadwork and playing guitar when she’s not working on illustrations or acting as community coordinator, though she spends much of her free time sketching and brainstorming her next webcomic. Bonner finds that making people laugh and smile through her art is incredibly fulfilling and is excited to continue to bring her love for illustration and art to The Collegian.

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