Goals are again set to be met at the annual Montesano High School Blood Drive.

The drive is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 7, from 8:15 a.m. to 1:45 p.m. at the junior high gymnasium.

With the assistance of The American Red Cross, donation goals in the past have been met almost without fail. Student leaders — such as 18-year-old senior Hayden Klinger, 17-year-old senior Blaine Ross, 17-year-old junior Joseph Johnson and 17-year-old junior Morgan Kersker —and staff, see no reason that this year should be any different. This year, their eyes are set on the goal of 90 participants.

While the event is to take place at the high school, that has no bearing on who is eligible to donate. Student leaders and Montesano High School staff are stressing the importance of community involvement. Roger Records, Montesano Jr./Sr. High School Computer teacher, notes that even with all the hard work by students, the support of the community is of vital importance in meeting the drive’s goals.

“Yes I believe the drive will reach its goal. I believe we have met the goals in the past. But we can’t do that without support from the community as well as the student body,” Records said.

The student body is not only responsible for contributing to the event, but for preparing and setting up for the event itself. English teacher and ASB adviser Anne Ekerson called attention to the immense amount of effort put into the event by students.

“It is almost 100-percent student ran,” Ekerson said. “They find donors, volunteer workers and are in charge of setting up and taking down the event. It’s really a neat experience for the students, and it’s our hope that they will continue to give blood as adults.”

So why give blood? Will one donation really make that big of a difference?

Ross, ASB President, knows of the difference that just one donor can make.

“I have seen first-hand the benefits of giving blood, as my grandfather has been just one person who has benefited from donors,” he said.

Johnson, yet another student leader, believes the positives of donating blood vastly outweigh the negatives.

“I will be giving blood. It is a good thing to do and is a quiet process than can help someone in need,” Johnson said, “The process is pretty quick and the people who get out and do it are great.”

While some may be hesitant to donate, whether it be for a fear of needles or some other fear, Ross encourages the community to consider, “What if it were you who needed blood?”

This call to action was certainly taken to heart by Klinger, who donated last year but wanted to do more this year.

“I had a really good experience last year, and I wanted to do it again,” Klinger said.

This year Klinger plans on donating “double red,” a kind of donation offered by The American Red Cross that allows for donors to safely give twice the amount of blood. Kersker, ASB Vice President, and who is in charge of this portion of the event, explained it as a way to do even more good with what’s been given.

“Donors should feel even better after giving double red,” Kersker said, “while more blood is being given, plasma is cycled back to the donor during the process allowing for the safety and comfort of the donor to take precedent.”

To those interested, or unsure, about donating via standard or double red methods, Kersker urges the community to share in their good fortune.

“It’s cool giving the gift of life to save others,” Kersker said.