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STEUBENVILLE -- The spirit of giving continues at Steubenville High School as the Nike Club teams up with the American Red Cross for a Valentine's Day blood drive.
School and community members are invited to roll up their sleeves and pitch in for the cause, which will be held from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the new gym.
Katrina Morrow, club adviser, said the event bookends a previous campaign in November and everyone benefits. Not only does it help save a life, but students can receive a scholarship from the Red Cross to further their studies.
"We had 27 units collected (in November) and usually our goal is 25," Morrow said. "I was very surprised. We shoot for 25 units at each blood drive, and it puts us in range for one senior to get a scholarship. The blood drive is open to the public, and they can register online through the American Red Cross, plus I have a sign-up sheet for those at school."
She added that collections have been held each fall and spring but the latter has been conducted in February for the past two years. Nike Club members will assist in the registration and canteen while Red Cross medical staff will oversee the blood collection.
Anyone who turns 16 years old on or before Feb. 14 is eligible to participate and may register and select a donation time, but walk-ins also are accepted. The collection enables the Red Cross to replenish its supply and is used within the Greater Allegheny area.
Meanwhile, Morrow said the student group is named for the Greek goddess and is comprised of more than 40 females in grades nine through 12. Its purpose is to build connections with each other and women involved with the Ohio Valley Business and Professional Women's organization. Members also volunteer at concession stands during school games, within SHS and other school buildings and in the community at the Urban Mission Ministries' 5K and Minority Health Month activities, plus they have raised funds to benefit the Urban Mission's Thanksgiving dinners.
Half of the proceeds from the concessions help the club distribute two scholarships at the end of the school year while the members' volunteer hours go toward academic letters and senior Capstone community service projects, according to Morrow.
For information or to register, go to https://www.redcrossblood.org/give.html/drive-results?zipSponsor=BigRed.