Dole to offer a 'Pine for a Pint' in nationwide blood drive

Dole is building upon the pineapple’s longtime association with themes of friendship and hospitality by offering pineapple fans in eight U.S. cities a chance to celebrate National Pineapple Day on June 27 by donating blood or contributing to health and wellness community programs.

And as a fresh incentive, anyone participating in a give-back opportunity on that day will receive a Dole Tropical Gold or Dole Royal Hawaiian pineapple while supplies last, according to a news release.

“If there is one fruit most associated with the global traditions of kindness, generosity and charity, it would have to be the pineapple,” Bill Goldfield, Dole’s director of corporate communications, said in the release. “Given the pineapple’s universal appeal, and Dole’s 122-year history of harvesting the fruit, we wanted to give our fans from coast to coast tangible ways to pay it forward and exercise Dole’s mission of making the world a healthier place.”

Dole’s “Pine for a Pint” program is set to kick off June 27 at Dole’s corporate headquarters in Charlotte, N.C. The “Pine for a Pint” event is part of a larger June 25-29 celebration of National Pineapple Day that includes posts and engagement opportunities in person and on social media.

Additionally, the blood drive campaign will take place at or near Dole port and field offices in Freeport, Texas; Gulfport, Miss.; Kansas City, Mo.; San Diego; Westlake Village, Calif.; Wilmington, Del.; and Wahiawa, Oahu, Hawaii. The Wahiawa location is also home of the original Dole pineapple farm and the recently launched Dole North Shore pineapple farm tour.

Related news: Dole welcomes visitors and locals to Dole pineapple farm on Oahu in Hawaii

Participants can sign up and attend the “Pint for a Pint” charity events at the following locations, according to the release:

• Charlotte, N.C.: National Pineapple Day Blood Drive in partnership with Harris Teeter and the American Red Cross at Harris Teeter at 3333 Pineville-Matthews Road, Charlotte, N.C., on June 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Make an Appointment.

• Freeport, Texas: National Pineapple Day Blood Drive in partnership with H-E-B and the Gulf Coast Regional Blood Center, at H-E-B, 97 at Oyster Creek Dr., Lake Jackson, Texas, on June 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Make an Appointment.

• Gulfport, Miss.: National Pineapple Day Blood Drive in partnership with Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College and the American Red Cross in the Campus Gym on the college's Harrison County Campus at 2226 Switzer Road, Gulfport, Miss., on June 27 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Make an Appointment.

• Kansas City, Mo.: National Pineapple Day Blood Drive in partnership with the Menorah Medical Center in the Building B meeting room (second floor) at the Menorah Medical Center at 5721 W 119th St., Overland Park, Kan., on June 27 from 2-6 p.m. Make an Appointment.

• San Diego: National Pineapple Day Blood Drive in partnership with the American Red Cross in the Port Pavilion at the Port Broadway Pier at 1000 N Harbor Dr. in San Diego on June 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Make an Appointment.

• Westlake Village, Calif.: National Pineapple Day Celebration in partnership with Dignity Health — St. John’s “Healthy Healthcare Heroes” at 1600 N. Rose Ave., Oxnard, Calif., and at Dignity Health at 2309 Antonio Ave., Camarillo, Calif., on June 27. Both events are from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

• Wilmington, Del.: National Pineapple Day Blood Drive in partnership with the Blood Bank of Delmarva at 100 Hygeia Dr., Newark, Del., on June 27 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Make an Appointment.

• Oahu, Hawaii: National Pineapple Day Blood Drive in partnership with the Blood Bank of Hawaii at three Oahu locations on June 27.  Make an Appointment.

  • 1907 Young St. in Honolulu, from 6:30 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

  • Waikele Center at 94-849 Lumiaina St. in Waipahu, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  • Windward Mall at 46-056 Kamehameha Highway in Kaneohe, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

As a special tribute in Dole’s headquarters city, Wells Fargo will illuminate its 550 South Tryon Building in uptown Charlotte with yellow and green on the evening of June 27 in honor of National Pineapple Day as part of the “Wells Fargo Charlotte Lights” program honoring causes, events and programs benefiting the local community.