Lake Oconee Academy's recent American Red Cross Blood Drive collected 40 units of blood, with the potential to impact as many as 120 lives. Behind that result was a school community coming together to serve, from donors rolling up their sleeves to student volunteers supporting the effort behind the scenes.

Hosted by the LOA Beta Club, the drive is one of two held at the school each year, with another scheduled for the spring. Together, the drives provide students and adults with opportunities to see how individual acts of service can make a difference far beyond the school campus.

For LOA Beta Club sponsor Kris Stevens, watching students, staff, and community members continue to support the drives is part of what makes the effort so meaningful.

"Year after year, our students, staff, and community members continue to show up, whether it's to donate blood, volunteer their time, or simply offer support," Stevens said. "I'm incredibly proud of the legacy our Beta Club students are building. They're showing that service isn't just something we do once or twice a year. It's something we carry forward, and every act of kindness makes a difference."

For students who may not yet be eligible to donate, volunteering offers another way to contribute. Student volunteers assisted with the canteen throughout the day, helping care for donors before they returned to class, work, or home.

Freshman Ann Campbell Vinson was among those volunteers, getting a firsthand look at what it takes to make a community blood drive possible.

"This was my first time volunteering at LOA's blood drive, and I'm really glad I got to be part of it," Vinson shared. "It felt good knowing I was doing something meaningful with my time and helping make a difference, even in a small way. I'm proud I had the opportunity to help."

The drive also gave some participants the opportunity to take a new step in their own service journey. LOA kindergarten teacher Laura Griffin donated blood at LOA for the first time, joining fellow faculty and staff members, students, and community donors in supporting the cause.

"I've always wanted to donate blood, but this year I really wanted to support our Beta Club," Griffin shared. "My daughter is a member, and I think it's such a wonderful initiative. Having the opportunity to give back right here at school, without even having to leave campus, made it that much easier to finally do something I've wanted to do for a long time."

From donating blood to volunteering at the canteen, each contribution helped make the drive possible. Together, these efforts reflect a culture of service in which people can find meaningful ways to give their time, support others, and help meet a critical community need.

LOA's next blood drive is scheduled for January 12, 2027, offering the school community another opportunity to participate. Through the continued efforts of Beta Club students, school staff, and community members, LOA is demonstrating that a culture of giving grows through the collective efforts of people willing to make a difference.