Dr. John Niblett is proud

that his Central Christian Academy gave 45 pints of blood to Life South Community Blood Centers during the school’s annual blood drive Monday.

This was the largest amount yet given to the Montgomery-based organization, and he hopes for an ever-increasing donation in years to come.

Last year the school contributed 28 pints.

The drive, sponsored by the Student Government Association, ran from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. and was open to all members of the Central Christian community 17 years and older, including students, faculty, administrators and parents.

According to Niblett, all eligible students offered to give, and only three were rejected – because of prescription drugs.

Melinda Hinds, district quality assurance and trainer for Life South Community Blood Centers, expressed gratitude to the school for the fine turnout. Hinds’ brother John is a graduate of Central Christian and helped promote the drive in advance.

Sheehan said that drives are conducted seven days a week at schools, businesses and other institutions

in the multicounty area served by Life South. Some 450-500 pints a week are collected and, she stressed, all blood collected in the area returns to the area.

The annual blood drive is only one of many community outreach efforts by the school. Others include Jump Rope for Heart sponsored by the American Heart Association, shamrock sale sponsored by Muscular Dystrophy, March of Dimes, Special Olympics, Box for Soldiers, Toys for Tots, food drives at Thanksgiving and Christmas for Selma Area Food Bank, and gifts of health aid necessities to area nursing homes at Christmas.