Assemblymember Jacqui Irwin and Tarantula Hill Brewing Co. are teaming up with Vitalant for a blood drive on Thursday, Oct. 15, in Westlake Village.

The event is free. Donors will receive a certificate for a craft beer or wine valued at up to $15, redeemable at Tarantula Hill, according to a Patch event listing for the drive, titled "Blood Drive – Give the Gift of Life."

The drive comes as the national blood supply faces pressure. The American Red Cross warned that the supply "remains vulnerable" after critically low summer levels, Time reported on Sept. 17, citing a Red Cross press release.

"Every donation matters, and together we can make a real difference in our community," Irwin wrote on X on Wednesday, Sept. 30, promoting the event.

Irwin represents an Assembly district covering Thousand Oaks and Westlake Village. She named Tarantula Hill her district's Small Business of the Year and presented owner John Edney and his team with an Assembly resolution, according to an Oct. 1 post on her Instagram account. In the post, Irwin said Edney's team drives the local economy, creates jobs and strengthens the community.

Tarantula Hill Brewing Co. was founded in 2019 and describes itself as "founded by locals and created for locals," according to the brewery's LinkedIn page. The company has locations at 2847 Agoura Road in Westlake Village and 244 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd. in Thousand Oaks. The event listing places the blood drive in Westlake Village but does not specify which location.

Donors at any Vitalant blood drive or donation center from Oct. 1 through Oct. 31 are also automatically entered in Vitalant's "Scary Good Giveaway" for a chance to win one of two $10,000 prepaid gift cards, according to Vitalant's website. That promotion is separate from the local craft beer and wine certificate. Winners will be selected on or around Friday, Nov. 13.

Appointments can be scheduled through Vitalant's website or by calling (877) 258-4825.

Upcoming community events:

  • Thursday, Oct. 15: Blood drive at Tarantula Hill Brewing Co., Westlake Village, in partnership with Assemblymember Irwin and Vitalant