Despite circumstances, NHS blood drive turnout is excpetional

The students arrived early to set up for the Tuesday?s American Red Cross blood drive in the OHS gymnasium. Members of the National Honor Society, sponsors of the event, started arriving between 8 a.m. and 8:30 a.m.

Even though roads were snow-covered and the air was cold, they were hoping for a good turnout, because ultimately, the drive was not about them, it was about helping others.

And according to the Red Cross, there is an urgent need to boost the blood supply in Michigan Make that a desperate need.

For that reason alone, the students were optimistic that there would be a good turnout, and ultimately, they were not disappointed as a steady stream of people kept filtering into the school building.

The waiting area for a health evaluation was full, and so were the tables and the waiting area for people ready to give blood. While people from the area were doing their part, students served as greeters, escorts, and servers in the canteen area.

GREG ELLENBERGER, contagious smile and all, was trying to keep one woman?s granddaughter happy as she gave blood. So add daycare provider to the list of jobs the students performed.

NHS advisor Penny James said a couple of goals were met at the end of the drive. ?We had quite a few first timers,? said James. The number of first timers, which usually consists of high school students, was 20.

Junior Chelsea Kent, who also serves the community as Miss Onaway, was one of them. She said the needle ?was pretty big? but when they went to take the blood ?it was not that bad.? James said the first timers were ?a little bit nervous, but I think they are excited because they know it is going to help.?

Considering the weather conditions and that it is in the middle of the cold and flu season, the Red Cross believes the turnout was exceptional.

Seventy-nine people attended the blood drive, with 63 units obtained. That is three units above the goal set by the Red Cross. ?It was a great turnout,? said James. ?The NHS students worked hard through the day.?

There were some early glitches, and a few agitated donors, as delays reached two hours, but it was out of the hands of school volunteers as there was a computer glitch at the start of the day which set the schedule back about 40 minutes

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JAMES AND the students spent some of their time making sure cooler heads prevailed, but only a small handful of folks voiced displeasure.

James appreciated the patience displayed by the majority of people. There also were a lot of unsung heroes from the school who did their part.

?We received lots of goodies from the staff,? said James. In the canteen, turkey sandwiches were made to order and served, along with cookies, drinks and chips.

Whatever the jobs, or the different hats the student wore during the day, the students know they may not see the results of their efforts.

But deep down, students, as well as members of the community, will know they make a difference in somebody else?s life.