– New Paltz Middle School students organized their 38th annual blood drive in coordination with New York Blood Center. 
– About 100 students and local community members participated, helping to collect around 74 units of blood. 
– This annual blood drive has been a tradition for over 30 years in the school and community, demonstrating their commitment to public service.
– The school planning committee, made up of students and faculty members, coordinated the entire event, highlighting the students’ passion for community service and active citizenship.
– Since inception, the school’s blood drives have collected an estimated over 3,000 units of blood, which can potentially help about 9,000 individuals.

Annual Tradition of Saving Lives: New Paltz Middle School’s 38th Blood Drive

The power of community and public service coalesced into a rather impactful day recently in the Mid Hudson Valley. The students of New Paltz Middle School, in partnership with the New York Blood Center [(NYBC)](https://www.nybloodcenter.org/), hosted their 38th annual blood drive. The tradition has been upheld for over three decades, proving that regardless of age or grade level, one can make a tremendous difference.

Generous Turnout for a Noble Cause

On the morning of the event, the school’s gymnasium bustled with anticipation and energy. Approximately 100 students from seventh to eighth grade, along with members from the local community, made their way into the venue, ready to roll up their sleeves and save lives. By the end of the day, about 74 units of blood had been collected, each one promising a much-needed lifeline for a patient in need.

History of Public Service

For those unfamiliar with the tenacity and community spirit at New Paltz Middle School, this is hardly a new occurrence. This annual blood drive has been a steadfast practice for over 30 years. Each year, a planning committee consisting of students and faculty members works tirelessly to organize the event – coordinating with the NYBC, promoting the event, and even arranging transportation for older community members who wish to donate but are unable to drive themselves. It’s a display of active citizenship that echoes throughout the Hudson Valley.

A Significant Impact

The quantities of blood collected from these drives aren’t just for statistics — they have real, life-altering implications. Each unit of blood can help save up to three lives. With the look back at the history of the school’s drives, which have collectively amassed over 3,000 units of blood, the potential impact on human life is indeed staggering. That translates to approximately 9,000 individuals who’ve been given a second chance at life, all thanks to the students and community of New Paltz Middle School.

Looking Forward

As we shift our gaze toward the future, it’s heartening and inspiring to see the emergence of such powerful societal contributors at such a young age. The students of New Paltz Middle School are embodying the spirit of public service, and in doing so, they’re demonstrating how the collective efforts of a community can transcend the imaginable boundaries of contribution.

To those in the Hudson Valley area, rest assured knowing that these young citizens are paving a path of kindness and selflessness for future students to follow.

In the end, what the 38th annual Blood Drive of New Paltz Middle School truly underlines is a simple yet powerful truth – that the act of giving knows no age limit, and no community is too small to make a difference. As long as there’s a will to serve, there’s a way to change lives.
Original Article: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMiW2h0dHBzOi8vcGF0Y2guY29tL25ldy15b3JrL21pZGh1ZHNvbnZhbGxleS9uZXctcGFsdHotbWlkZGxlLXNjaG9vbGVycy1ob3N0LTM4dGgtYmxvb2QtZHJpdmXSAWhodHRwczovL3BhdGNoLmNvbS9uZXcteW9yay9taWRodWRzb252YWxsZXkvYW1wLzMxNTk4MzE4L25ldy1wYWx0ei1taWRkbGUtc2Nob29sZXJzLWhvc3QtMzh0aC1ibG9vZC1kcml2ZQ?oc=5