Baldwin EMC is calling on members of the community to respond to an emergency need for blood donations. The cooperative will host its annual Spring into Action blood drive on Thursday, March 31, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., at their headquarters in Summerdale, with the hope that they can help boost the supply for LifeSouth Community Blood Centers.

“LifeSouth currently has only a two-day supply of blood, so we want to stress to everyone that the need for donations is at a critical level,” said Baldwin EMC Vice President of Corporate Services and Public Relations Mark Ingram. “When we hosted an emergency drive due to a similar shortage in 2019, the response was overwhelming, and we broke a record with 180 pints of blood donated. We would love to have the same outcome with this event. There is so much generosity in this community and each donation has the power to save up to three lives.”

As an incentive, all blood donors will be entered into a drawing to win from a variety of prizes including a $100 Visa gift card, a set of OWA amusement park passes, and a Wharf prize package that includes Keith Urban concert tickets. “We’re especially grateful to OWA and the Wharf for their prize donations,” Ingram said. “These prizes are a great way to reward our donors with attractions right here in Baldwin County.”

The blood donations LifeSouth receives will benefit local medical centers, including Thomas Hospital, North Baldwin Infirmary, USA Children’s & Women’s Hospital and Mobile Infirmary, among many others in Alabama, Georgia and Florida.

Everyone at least 17 years old, 110 pounds and in generally good health is invited to donate blood. All blood types are needed and first-time donors are welcome.

For more information about the Spring Into Action drive, call (251) 989-6247 or visit www.baldwinemc.com.