“You Make the Difference”
A Community Service Project for Students or Youth Groups

READY…
United Blood Services encourages students and youth groups to take advantage of a service-learning program that teaches young people about the importance of blood donation and its impact on their community. The program is tailored for three different age levels (elementary, middle school and high school students) so that all may participate and meet the learning objectives specific for their grade level. Through the project, students will gain skills and experience in communication, time management, goal setting, planning and organization. Young people will also grow in altruism and community spirit.

SET…
The Community Relations department of your local United Blood Services center will cooperate with youth group leaders and teachers to provide information necessary for their members and students to fulfill the requirements of the curriculum. Learning

Objectives:
The curriculum-focused program aims to educate America’s youth on the importance of blood donation and how it translates into saving the lives of hospital patients in their community and their nation.

Students will:

• Promote a blood drive. They will gain knowledge and experience in organizing and publicizing community events.
• Work with volunteer blood donors and understand the importance of their role in the community.
• Observe how blood donations make a difference in the lives of patients and their families.

Task Suggestions:

Elementary School Students:

1. Spend at least on hour working at a blood drive. Assist by serving refreshments, greeting donors or making reminder calls, or by providing other help the blood drive sponsor requests.
2. Learn about the process of blood donation:
   a. Describe to the class or group the basic qualifications
       for being a donor
   b. Describe what it is like to donate blood (how long it
       takes, what happens during a blood donation)
3. Recruit two volunteers to donate blood with United Blood Services; at least one must be a first-time donor. The donations must be made within the time period of this project.

Middle School Students:

1. Help promote the blood drive by hanging signs around the community and in the teacher’s lounge at school.
2. Write and/or perform a recruitment message or skit for the morning announcements.
3. Recruit four people to donate blood with United Blood Services; at least one must be a first-time donor. The donations must be made within the time period of this project.
4. Spend at least two hours working at a blood drive. Assist by serving refreshments, greeting donors or making reminder calls, or by providing other help the blood drive sponsor requests.
5. Learn why blood donation is so important. Give a report that describes:
   a. the basic qualifications for being a donor
   b. what it is like to donate blood
   c. blood components and the way they are used
   d. examples of patients who may need each part of the blood

High School Students

1. Help promote the blood drive by hanging signs around the community and in the teacher’s lounge at school. Write a press release that can be sent to a local publication.
2. Recruit six people to donate blood with United Blood Services; at least two must be first-time donors. The donations must be made within the time period of this project.
3. Coordinate a high school blood drive using the checklist for success or help out for at least four hours at a community blood drive. Call donors the day before the drive to remind them of their appointment. Greet donors at the registration area and serve refreshments to donors.
4. Analyze the process of giving blood. Write a report that describes:
   a. how the community blood program works
        1. local, state and national annual blood usage
           and collections
        2. benefits to organizations that sponsor blood drives
        3. how community activities like blood donation
           improve the livability of the community
   b. the basic qualifications for being a donor
   c. what it is like to donate blood
   d. new technologies that are changing the nation’s
       blood supply

GO…
Yes! I want to participate in a learn and serve program that will help save lives! I will contact my local United Blood Services center to make arrangements and develop my proposal. Click here for a sample proposal.

Group Leaders: Please fill in the information below to generate a United Blood Services recognition certificate.

I, as a youth group leader, teacher or advisor, verify that the following youth(s) have successfully completed the tasks in their learn and serve proposal and have earned recognition in the United Blood Services “YOU MAKE THE DIFFERENCE” Program.

Mail this form to your local UNITED BLOOD SERVICES center, attention: Community Relations Department.

Click here to view a map to find your nearest United Blood Services center.