In order to encourage students to register for the blood drive, student council members will hand out donuts in the cafeteria concession stand on Monday morning from 7:20 to 7:50 a.m. This event is designed to boost early sign-ups and build momentum for the drive itself.
Students can receive a free donut by registering to donate blood at the stand. Council members will have a sign-up sheet at the counter, and students who have already signed up online will also be able to get a free donut.
“We just want to have a fun way to try to encourage kids to see the benefits of giving blood and helping others,” Student Council co-sponsor Jeffrey Gehrke said. “Hopefully this will be something that motivates them to do that.”
The drive will be held in the auxiliary gym from 7:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. next Thursday, Oct. 2. Anyone above the age of 17 can donate, and 16-year-olds may donate with a signed parental consent form. Student Council members will have consent forms at the stand on Monday.
The drive is organized in partnership with the American Red Cross, and past drives at the school have collected hundreds of crucial donations. Student Council hopes the promise of a donut will remind students that giving blood is a simple way to change someone’s life.
“Some kids might not be aware that the blood drive is going on,” Gehrke said. “And then, some kids are unsure about it, scared of needles or something. Maybe a donut is something that just gives them the little push that they need, and hopefully they choose to donate life.”
Blood shortages remain a nationwide concern, and every pint has the potential to save up to three lives. More than 30 students have already registered, meaning Gretna East students are on track to help nearly 100 people, but Student Council hopes to get many more donors.
Gehrke believes that the blood drive is a simple, time-efficient and effective way to give back to the community and make a difference.
“Donating blood is one of the very few acts that you can do that literally saves lives,” he said. “It directly correlates to someone’s life being saved in a hospital, whether it be new mothers, cancer patients, people in accidents; the need for blood is always there.”
While donuts may be the hook, knowing that an act as small as signing up can help someone in need is the real reward. Student Council wants to show students that saving lives doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, it starts with something as simple as a donut.
“The need and the purpose for blood is just humanity,” Gehrke said. “It’s just our society. Generally, we hope that we’re good people and want to help others when we can, and this is an opportunity to do that.”