On January 25, 2017, members of the Randolph-Macon College community rolled up their sleeves for a good cause: a community blood drive. The event, which was sponsored by the RMC football team and held in the Birdsong Hall Dalton Room, brought together students, faculty, staff, alumni, and friends of RMC. In all, 35 units of blood were collected.

The event was planned after Head Football Coach Pedro Arruza was contacted by Virginia Blood Services and asked if the team would like to host a drive.

Photos: Blood Drive

“I think it’s important for our program to give to others,” he says. “One of the best things about RMC is the community support that our program gets—so it’s important to give back. I think our players realize through these experiences that any time you sacrifice something for the good of others it is really rewarding. It helps them to see how their efforts fit into a much larger picture, and it gives them perspective.”  The football team also participates in year-round community service at John M. Gandy Elementary School, working with students in the school’s Lunch Buddy program.

Team Effort = Blood Drive Success
Christian Redman ’19 and Harrison Smith ’19, members of the football team, donated blood and encouraged their teammates to participate in the drive.

Redman is an accounting major and Asian studies minor and a wide receiver for the Yellow Jackets.

“I decided to give blood because I know that it can help someone in need,” says Redman, who is also a member of Hanover Christian Firewood Ministry, a group that splits and delivers wood to families in need. “Volunteering is very humbling and it helps me appreciate the simple things.”
This was Smith’s first time to donate blood. The business major and Asian studies minor decided to participate in the event because the need for blood is constant.

“If giving blood can help save someone’s life, I am willing to help,” says Smith, a wide receiver for the Yellow Jackets who regularly participates in Gandy’s Lunch Buddy program.

Rick Golembeski ’96, director of annual giving and alumni relations, helped spread the word about the event to the RMC community, including alumni.

“It was great to see Yellow Jacket students, faculty, staff, alumni and friends come together and give back to our greater community,” says Golembeski, who took time out of his busy day to donate. “Our goal was to collect 30 units. We registered 40 people and collected 35 units, exceeding our goal. Those 35 units can help as many 105 lives!”

Giving Back
In 2015-16, RMC students collectively amassed more than 27,400 volunteer hours and donated $49,898.00 to various causes. Students in Fraternity and Sorority Life contributed more than 13,600 hours of collective service to the community and donated $1738.00 to various organizations and philanthropies. In addition, $21,000 was raised and donated to the American Cancer Society from the annual Relay for Life.

Over 300 students participated in RMC’s second Big Event, a day of service to give thanks to the Ashland community. The Students Engaged in Responsible Volunteer Experiences (SERVE) program, in the Office of Student Life, is an integral part of Randolph-Macon College.