Every successful community has a lot of people doing important jobs, very often out of the spotlight.

These are folks who want to help their fellow residents not because there’s a paycheck involved but because it’s the right thing to do.

Our friends at the U.P. Regional Blood Center in Marquette recently showcased one such extraordinary volunteer and The Mining Journal was pleased to provide coverage.

Construction worker Mark Johnson of Marquette recently reached 40 years of donating blood products to the center, which is located at 427 W. College Ave.

Johnson has A negative blood, and donates whole blood six times a year and platelets 24 times annually.

“I remember hearing that they needed blood, so I went over and did it, and I’ve been going ever since,” Johnson said before making yet another donation last week.

His motivation is simple: He wants to help.

“Because I know it’s helping someone else out — and Oreo cookies,” said Johnson.

He recommends that people donate blood products.

“It’s easy,” he said, “and I wish more people would do it — and your blood stays up here.”

According to the U.P. Regional Blood Center, it is the sole provider of blood products to 13 hospitals across the U.P.

This blood supply allows health care providers to treat patients with a wide variety of conditions.

It indicated that all blood donations stay in the U.P., with a single donation possibly saving up to three lives, according to the Journal story.

We congratulate Johnson and gladly offer his example to anyone who might be considering a donation.

To make an appointment to donate, call the Marquette center at 906-449-1450. Centers also are located in Escanaba and Hancock.

Visit www.uphealthsystem.com/regional-blood-center for details.