Folks are asked to roll up a sleeve and give of themselves this week at Trinity United Methodist Church’s Community Blood Drive.
Residents can head out from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday to donate at the MBS Donor Coach, 850 McAllister St.
Church member and organist Andrew Smith said the blood drive is being held in honor of National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, which falls on Thursday.
As an additional thank you to local law enforcement, the church will be serving breakfast to all law enforcement personnel that morning.
“It is the first that the time the church has sponsored the law enforcement appreciation breakfast as well as the blood drive. It is being done to show appreciation for law enforcement, of course, but also to further engage the church in the community,” Smith said.
Not only is Trinity UMC sponsoring the event, but Smith said First United Methodist Church will be assisting as well.
“The church members are so excited to be doing this,” he said, noting their goal is to get at least 50 people out to donate.
Senior pastor of Trinity UMC Sally Bevill said this event wouldn’t be possible without the help of Smith and Associate Pastor Michael Lindsay.
Hosting this event, she said, is a small way for them to say thank you to the local members in law enforcement.
“It’s our endeavor to reach out with community purpose in Greenville. … We believe our work is so much more than self-nurture,” she said. “Donating blood and this breakfast is just a small sacrifice on our part for the huge sacrifice they make for us on a daily basis.”
According to the Mississippi Blood Services’ website, msblood.com, a patient who has suffered injuries in an automobile accident requires an average of 50 units of blood. A cardiovascular surgery may require anywhere from two to 25 units of blood. A cancer patient will often require up to eight units per week.
“Please, please come donate blood, we really need help with that,” Bevill said.
For those interested in donating, all donors must be 16 years of age or older, weigh at least 110 pounds and be in good health.
Although walk-ins will be accepted, those who would like to schedule their time can do so at msblood.com. When arriving to donate, be sure to bring along an ID.
All donors will receive a free T-shirt.
For more information, call Smith at 662-332-1815 or 601-573-7163.
