Twenty years ago, in response to Hurricane Katrina, students at Battle Creek Central High School asked a teacher if they could do something to help those who were impacted. That spark ignited an American Red Cross Club that has grown into a thriving legacy of service and inclusivity. It’s one of the longest-serving and most productive Red Cross clubs in Michigan.
Students from every group are members of the Red Cross Club. They are athletes, theater kids, honor students, special education students and more. Some are popular and some are really shy, but they all work side by side under the Red Cross mission.
With 40 active members and a 20-student leadership team, the Red Cross Club’s impact is seen across southwest Michigan. They host three blood drives each year, raise money for disaster relief, receive CPR training, support veterans at the Battle Creek VA Medical Center, and promote home fire safety through the Sound the Alarm campaign.
“I was really shy when I first joined,” said Summer Burrell, a current co-president of the club. “I had only known three people in the club, plus I didn't have much confidence in my ability to change lives the way I do now. Working to help others in the smallest way and seeing the results always fills me with pride. My mother works at the VA Medical Center and sees her veterans receive our holiday cards and how happy it makes them. It really warms my heart to know that I can make someone else feel joy.”
Because the Red Cross Club has a broad appeal among students, it also attracts more young people as first-time, and hopefully lifelong, blood donors. Deana Waterman, an advisor for the club and a nurse for 30 years prior to teaching, knows her students can help save lives. On average, the Red Cross Club collects 60 units of blood at blood drives it hosts. Last year, one of her students felt discouraged that her only graduation honor cord would come from the Red Cross Club.
“I said, 'the only honor cord?'” Waterman remarked to the student, recalling their conversation. “Look at it this way. Every time you donate blood, you have the potential to save lives. So, somebody's mom, somebody’s child, somebody's best friend, somebody’s sister is going to go home at the end of the day because you took the time to make that sacrifice and donate.
“And you could just see her stand up taller, and she started smiling. I felt like that was such a bit of encouragement to her to know that she really did do something quite amazing.”
And for 20 years, so has the Red Cross Club — one student, one blood drive, one fundraiser at a time.
By Sydney Henry, regional communications manager
