Tony Everett was the first of 94 blood donors during Baldwin EMC’s Spring Into Action drive on March 10.

Donors could give blood or donate food during the Spring Into Action drive. Some, like Claire Denlea, did both.

Local blood donors saved as many as 282 lives by giving blood during Baldwin EMC’s Spring Into Action drive on March 10. The staff from LifeSouth Community Blood Center collected 94 pints of blood, each of which can benefit as many as three people.

Food donations were also plentiful throughout the day. Two large tables were covered with everything from rice and beans to canned vegetables. The items were donated to Ecumenical Ministries, Inc., for distribution to families in need.

Mark Ingram, Baldwin EMC’s vice president of energy services and public relations, says the Spring Into Action drive is about locals helping locals. “All the donations made yesterday will stay right here in our community,” Ingram says. “The blood donations will benefit our local hospitals and the food donations will be used to feed people in our area.”

Ingram says the Spring Into Action drive is a part of Baldwin EMC’s vision to be community involved. “As a member-owned cooperative, we’re called to do much more for our community than just provide electricity. Our goal is to improve the quality of life for those we serve, and events like this are one of the ways we can do that,” he says.