Community blood drives are no stranger to the halls of Riverside Jr/Sr High School in Boardman, Oregon. If you were or had a student at Riverside, you probably remember the Drives hosted by the National Honor Society (NHS).
Recently, the group has been gaining momentum and rallying more community support for these lifesaving events. This growth is thanks to the dedication of Riverside’s National Honor Society members and their advisor, in partnership with the American Red Cross.
Rachel Flynn, an English instructor at Riverside Jr./Sr. High School started teaching there in 2021. In 2022, she took on the role of NHS advisor. That year, the club hosted its first blood drive under its new advisor’s guidance. By the 2023–2024 school year, the group expanded to two blood drives. This year, the organization plans to host three blood drives. Their first was in the fall, the second was held this January. The final Blood Drive they will host for the 2024-25 school year will be April 28th, 2025.
“We’ve been ramping up,” says Flynn, who handles much of the coordination with the Red Cross.
Students Lead the Charge
While Flynn manages logistics behind the scenes, students are at the forefront of planning and running the blood drives. They create and manage donor sign-up sheets, assign volunteer roles for the day of the event, promote the drives using posters and social media. In the past, students have recruited donors by giving presentations and canvassing door-to-door (classroom doors) during advisory periods.
Social media and word-of-mouth have played a role in increasing participation. Posts on community Facebook pages help spread the word, encouraging folks to donate or tell others about the event. Some regular donors even find the drive through the Red Cross website.
Growing Goals and Big Rewards
The club’s primary goals are to continue to grow Boardman’s strong donor base and raise as much scholarship money as possible for graduating seniors. The American Red Cross offers scholarships based on the number of units collected by organizations throughout the year:
30–50 units: $500 scholarship
51–100 units: $1,000 scholarship
In their first year, the NHS aimed to collect 30 units and reached their goal with just one drive. The following year, they expanded to two drives and hit the 30-unit threshold before the second event.
This year, they reached the 51-unit mark with their most recent drive on January 25, qualifying them for a $1,000 scholarship. The club hopes to surpass that number with their upcoming drive on April 28, 2025.
More Than a Local Impact
While these blood drives benefit Riverside students, they also have a broader impact. According to the Red Cross, high school blood drives help build a lifelong donor base.
“When students start donating in high school, they’re more likely to continue giving blood later in life,” explains Flynn.
The NHS at Riverside is not only helping meet a critical need in the community but also empowering students to lead and make a difference.
If you have questions or want to learn more, please contact Rachel Flynn at Riverside Jr./Sr. High School.