An Eastern Lebanon County School District student 30 years ago needed blood because of a medical crisis, and the school district responded.
According to a release from ELCO, the district set up a blood drive “and together, saved a life.”
The district has hosted blood drives each year since and, according to the Central Pennsylvania Blood Bank, has helped to save “more than 10,500 lives.”
ELCO’s 30th annual blood drive will be held, in partnership with the Central PA Blood Bank, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, March 1, at the high school, 180 ELCO Drive, Myerstown. Organizers hope to reach a goal of 200 donors.
“Celebrating this amazing milestone of our annual blood drive is a testament to the spirit of compassion and community at ELCO, and we’re proud to continue this tradition,” Wellness chair Jackie Bender said in the release. “For the 30th anniversary, we’re asking you, your family and your friends to help us reach our goal of 200 donors. Come on, ELCO – let’s break all the records!”
Blood donors will receive a gift bag containing a commemorative keychain, a gift card for free gelato from Ice Shack, a Papa John’s BOGO certificate, beef stick bites from Stoltzfus Meats, and a 30th anniversary t-shirt. Every donor will automatically be entered into mystery raffles happening throughout the day.
Participants can register a donation time in advance online, and walk-ins are welcome. Those unable to donate blood can make a financial contribution to the ELCO Foundation to support future blood drives.
Questions about this story? Suggestions for a future LebTown article? Reach our newsroom using this contact form and we’ll do our best to get back to you.
Free news isn’t cheap. If you value the journalism LebTown provides to the community, then help us make it sustainable by becoming a champion of local news. You can unlock additional coverage for the community by supporting our work with a one-time contribution, or joining as a monthly or annual member. You can cancel anytime.
