Skippack Elementary School Community Steps Up to Save Lives

parents, teachers and even Principal Kimberly Boyd rolled up their sleeves to do their part for the Home and School Association's blood drive at the building Wednesday.

Home and School President Pam Kirkman was spurred to action when the American Red Cross came to a home and school meeting to raise awareness of the area's dire need for blood donations.

Kirkman and drive organizer Tammy Roop set to work, and their donor expectations doubled for what Kirkman hopes will become an annual event. She and Roop had aimed for 25 volunteers and, before the day of the drive, netted 50 signups.

Due to a lack of space at the elementary school, Skippack Township partnered with the home and school association, and provided two rooms on the township building's bottom floor for the event.

"Thank you to Skippack Township," Kirkman said.

Roop and Kirkman primarily worked the registration room, made sure volunteers had a snack or drink—which were provided by local stores—to prevent post-donation fainting. Each bottle of water was topped with a tag from Bruster's; it can be turned in for one free ice cream cone at its shop.

In the next room, volunteers went through a brief screening process with one of the Red Cross members, and then it was on to the donation.

"We are thrilled with the turnout and look forward to continuing through the years," Roop said.

Kirkman added that "every donation saves three lives. Give it a try; it's not painful. There's also the health screening ahead of time, so you know if you're at risk."

"It's a tremendous gift to the community, and it's easy to do," Roop said. "Every one of us here will need blood someday. Why wouldn't you do it?"