Dec. 6, 2005
NORMAL, Ill. -
The gift of life is the best present a person could receive this Holiday Season. On Thursday, December 1, the Illinois State baseball team and others combined to offer that gift to people in need by donating blood in the annual blood drive sponsored by the team in conjunction with the American Red Cross.
The 75 pints collected could potentially help over 225 patients at local hospitals. ISU baseball head coach Jim Brownlee was thankful to all the people who showed up to donate.
"Blood is always in need this time of the year when it gets cold," said Brownlee. "The turnout for this busy time of the year was just amazing to see. It just speaks highly of the Redbird community and family and we are truly grateful to everyone who showed up and helped out the Red Cross."
The turnout for the blood drive was the most successful it has been in four years. Brownlee hopes that future blood drives and other community service events can continue to be successful.
"The blood drive keeps growing year by year with the number of donations, and we hope that trend continues," said Brownlee. "We're going to keep helping with the American Red Cross and community service organizations in any way we can in future in order to ensure they always have enough help and support."
The baseball team, along with the other 18 athletics teams at ISU, donates more than 1,000 cumulative hours of community service each year. With nearly 80 percent of student-athletes participating in community service projects, the Illinois State athletic department continues spread its philosophy of giving back to the community that supports it.
Thank You!
"On behalf of myself and the entire baseball program, I would like to thank everyone to took time out of their busy schedules to help out the Red Cross by donating blood. Your donation will help people who are in need and the Red Cross certainly appreciates all your help. Once again, thank you for making this our most successful blood drive in years and Go You Redbirds!"
Baseball head coach Jim Brownlee
