Written by: LTC (Ret.) Chad Byas

CHARLOTTE, NC – On Monday, February 27, 2023, the Olympic High School JROTC Trojan Battalion conducted their annual blood drive.  The Trojan Battalion teamed up with the OneBlood Donors organization as part of their Service-Learning Project for this school year.  OneBlood is a non-profit 501 community asset responsible for providing safe, available, and affordable blood to more than 200 hospital partners and their patients throughout most of Florida, parts of Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina, and North Carolina.  The goal of the blood drive was to have as many people sign up to donate blood.  The Trojan Battalion had over 60 students and teachers present for the drive. This number exceeded the expectations for the program.  This was a great opportunity for the Cadets to give back to the community through their service-learning project.

All Photo Credits: c/CPT Brandon Mancia-Velasco

Top Photo caption: Olympic High School JROTC Cadets verify each student and teacher who signed up for the blood drive.  Students fill out paperwork to see if they are eligible to donor blood. (Photo credit: c/CPT Brandon Mancia-Velasco)

The cadet assists in providing snacks and drinks for those who have donated blood. (Photo credit: c/CPT Brandon Mancia-Velasco)
Student proudly donates blood for a worthy cause. (Photo credit: c/CPT Brandon Mancia-Velasco)
Here is a photo of each Cadet who coordinated and successfully operated the schoolwide blood drive.  (Photo credit: c/CPT Brandon Mancia-Velasco)

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