Members of the Winchester (VA) Kiwanis Club helped the American Red Cross ensure an adequate supply of blood on area hospital shelves during the recent holiday season.

The Club joined with its local Red Lobster restaurant to co-sponsor a Christmas Eve blood collection that netted 94 units of blood from more than 130 potential donors who stepped forward. Goal of the drive was 75 units. "Success of this sort is particularly important during the holidays when travel-related accidents increase the need for blood at a time when fewer regular donors are at home and available to give, according to Club Blood Committee chair, Bud Good.

The Winchester Club is a frequent sponsor of such Red Cross collections for which it recruits donors, does community promotion, provides volunteer staff and allocates financial support, when needed. At the recent event, 19 members of the club donated blood and 12 volunteered to work the six and one-half hour drawing.

"Red Cross Blood Services leaders are always genuinely grateful for our help," according to Club president Craig Organ. "And projects like this really help draw community attention to Kiwanians' personal commitment to helping others."