Donors saved more than 200 lives during Baldwin EMC’s 17th annual Power of Giving drive on November 10.

Representatives from LifeSouth Community Blood Centers were on site early Thursday morning and collected a total of 83 donations from Baldwin EMC’s employees, members and community. All of the donations will benefit hospitals across southwest Alabama and the Florida panhandle.

Jason Brown, a warehouse assistant for Baldwin EMC, was one of many employees who took the time to donate during the event. “I just wanted to do something good for the community,” Brown said. “And one day it might be me or someone I love who needs my donation.”

According to Mark Ingram, the generosity of Brown and many others like him is what makes the Power of Giving drive successful year after year. “This event would be nothing without the donors who roll up their sleeves to give the gift of life. We’re so grateful to all of them and proud to watch ordinary people become heroes.”

Baldwin EMC also collected enough food donations to cover three large tables during the Power of Giving drive. Ingram says those contributions will help stock the shelves at local food pantries for families in need. “Inflation has affected so many families this year and our local charitable organizations are working extra hard to keep up with that need. The donations we collected will have a positive impact on their efforts and our community as a whole.”