Impact Life Blood Center held its most-recent Blood Drive in Morrison, IL, on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at Emmanuel Church, 202 E. Morris Street, Morrison, IL.
Morrison High School Driver Education Instructor/Key Club Advisor Brian Bartoz supplied this press release and photograph. He and Blood Drive Co-Advisor Annie Knie provide refreshments at the drives. Key Club members have the opportunity to volunteer at, and/or organize, the events.
Bartoz explained, “I collaborated with Mrs. Annie Knie regarding the pizza order from Casey’s General Store of Morrison (one pepperoni and one cheese pizza.) I placed the order the morning of July 18; we used funds in the Key Club account to pay for the pizza order. My Driver Ed students and I completed the pizza delivery around 12:45 p.m. Donors and volunteers had a chance to enjoy the pizza, as a gesture of Key Club’s appreciation for their work.”
Knie reported, “Thirteen prospective community donors came in. A couple were deferred, so 11 made donations. Five or six Key Club members attended, but all members were involved [in the planning.]
Key Club students who volunteer during the school year are eligible to earn the Impact Award and to wear a red honor cord at graduation. They must accumulate six points, based on their activities: promotion of the blood drive; speaking to the student body; hosting the event; assisting donors; dispensing snacks at drives. If a member donates blood, they earn six points for their effort to save lives.
Last year, two MHS Seniors earned honor cords. This year Kenzie Bruckner, then a Sophomore, did so. Donor students are recognized at Honor Night and receive a Certificate of Achievement.
Key Club student volunteers–including new members who join in August–will host an Impact Life Blood drive in October. On March 12, 2025, the Full Key Club will organize and promote the blood drive.