October 2003
If you've got spare time on Wednesday, October 22, plan on joining students from the Ulster BOCES Career & Technical Center for their annual blood drive, being held from 1:30 to 7 PM in the Cosmetology Lab. The blood drive is sponsored by the Leadership Club, part of the Skills USA-VICA program for vocational education students, and will benefit the American Red Cross. This is the first time that the event will be open to the public.
The blood drive aims to bolster local supplies of blood and to raise awareness that donating helps save lives in the Ulster County region, said Instructor Laura Harnden, who is coordinating the event. “We encourage our students to be part of the greater community,” said Harden. “It’s important that everyone realizes the importance of ensuring adequate blood supplies, particularly as we head towards the holiday season.”
Eligible blood donors must be at least 17 years of age and there is no upper age limit. Most medications do not disqualify a potential donor, including the use of aspirin, blood pressure or cholesterol-reducing medications, thyroid medications, anti-depressants, or hormone replacement therapy.
In addition to the annual blood drive, over the course of the school year students in the Skills USA-VICA program perform many other community service activities. The group conducts food drives for the needy, an annual holiday toy drive for underprivileged children, and works with elementary school children in Kingston as part of a reading initiative. Over 250,000 students nationally are members of Skills USA-VICA, which provides quality educational experiences for students in leadership, teamwork, citizenship, and character development.
|
|
|
Quick Clicks
Contacts