Columbia, MD - October 22, 2007 - The Columbia Foundation’s next generation initiative “twentyfivefortyfive” and the Howard County Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals Network (YPM) have launched a competition to see who can donate the most blood to the American Red Cross.

Volunteer blood donors can come to the American Red Cross Bloodmobile on October 26 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. in the Columbia Mall parking lot near JCPenney. For more information, call Candace Dodson Reed at The Columbia Foundation, 410-730-7840 or Catherine Lay at the Howard County Chamber of Commerce, 410-730-4111.

Founded in 1969, the Foundation has awarded nearly $9 million in grants to Howard County nonprofit organizations delivering human service, arts and cultural, educational and civic programs. Money for the grant programs comes primarily from income generated by the Foundation’s endowment supported by over 200 funds established by Howard County businesses, families and individuals. For more information on The Columbia Foundation, visit www.columbiafoundation.org or call 410-730-7840.