A smiling usher greets visitors at the door. Once inside, they're offered a magazine while live music plays in the background. Later, fresh-baked desserts and beverages are provided. On the way out, goodie bags and a handwritten thank-you note are handed out.

It may sound like a spa offering five-star treatment - but that's not even close.

It's a blood drive.

Ann Dwyer, Burns Park Elementary, Sandy Kreger and students prepare for the blood drive

Burns Park Elementary teacher Sandy Kreger has a life’s list of goals, and hers included running a blood drive. That goal may have remained on an unfinished list if it weren’t for the encouragement of her fifth-grade students many years ago.

“They said, ‘I want to help. I want to help you.’ And I thought, how can they help?” Kreger said.

Her students suggested passing out cookies and showing people to their seats, so Kreger made a list of tasks for the students. In the past 10 years, the drive has grown. 

“It’s the biggest elementary blood drive in Michigan,” Kreger said.

The class has been busy preparing for Thursday’s blood drive. 

Oceana Bailey, 10, showed off the picture of flowers she put together to spell “Thank You!” for the stationary. Cooper Vettorello, 10, has been prepping for the jobs he’s going to perform at the drive. Jamie Norton, 10, said his mom is e-mailing everyone she knows to get the word out. And a few of the students even went on the radio to talk about the drive. 

Adrian Huntley, 11, said “it’s just nice to help out.” It is a lesson he may have picked up from his teacher.

“Ms. Kreger, she’s really into doing really nice things,” he said.

Jenni Hawes, the blood services coordinator at the Washtenaw County chapter of the American Red Cross, talked to the class Monday about the importance of giving blood. Hawes has twice been a blood transfusion recipient. 

“A lot of people need blood, and I was one of them. I want to say, ‘Thank you,’” Hawes said to the young volunteers.

The blood drive will be held Thursday, Oct, 29 in the auditorium at Burns Park Elementary from 1:30 to 7:30 p.m. 

To schedule an appointment, go to www.givelife.org and type in source code “bpe” (for Burn Park Elementary). However, an appointment is not necessary.

Ann Dwyer is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.