Community blood drive to be held at Lincolnton Baptist Sat.

A Lincoln County Community Blood Drive will be held Saturday, January 12, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. in the fellowship hall at Lincolnton Baptist Church.

"Thank you, Lincoln County," said Linda Walker, recruitment coordinator for the Shepeard Community Blood Center. "Due to the unselfish acts of blood donors in the county during 2007, 735 local hospital patients received lifesaving blood donations. In all, county residents contributed a total of 245 units of blood to the center, with each donation helping up to three patients."

She went on to add that the students at LCHS really showed their true colors last year by hosting two drives which generated a combined total of 82 units of blood. "Many of these students will hopefully become lifelong blood donors. It is so rewarding to make a profound difference in the lives of others with such a simple gift. In the future, I expect to see more high school students at our regular community blood drives."

In conclusion, Walker encouraged residents of the community to take part in Saturday's blood drive. "We invite everyone to come out and start the new year off right by sharing their good health with those less fortunate. From beginning to end, it takes less than half an hour to give the gift of life."

Healthy individuals 17 years of age or older, weighing 110 pounds or more, who have not donated blood in the past two months are eligible to make a donation. Donors are asked to bring a picture I.D. or a donor card with them to the drive.

All participants will receive a free T-shirt, and free cholesterol screenings will be available upon request for those 19 years of age or older.

The following Lincoln County residents are to be commended for donating blood recently: Thomas C. Dent, Franklin E. Doyle, Ronald W. Harrison, Kevin L. Bentley, Brenda T. Leopard, Trudy B. Edmunds, Rita W. Hussey, Richard L. Creswell, Deborah M. Dent, Stacy McCoy, Jr.

Stephen M. Broom, Kayla D. Crookham, William L. Clary, Jimmie A. Goldman, Joe F. Powell, Tracy D. Hall, Tammy B. Wright, Alton H. Danner, Jr., Scott Newsome, Tangernene T. Newsome, Emmi K. Layton, Brenda M. Layton, Clifton J. Layton, Robert T. Poss, Linda P. Jones, James E. Butler.

Craig C. Jenkins, Jessie W. Turner, Lesley N. Brooks, Boyce C. McKinney, Barbara B. Doyle, Tamara L. Abel, Mary L. Glaze, Joseph D. Simmons, Jr., Ellen V. Butler, Jack D. Glazner, James E. Butler, William D. Lessard, Betty H. Banks, Ruth Ann Belangia, Janet G. Elder, and Rosemary Weser.

For more information about blood donation, contact the Shepeard Community Blood Center at 1-706-737- 4551 or visit the organization's website at www.shepeardblood.org.