The Beta Beta Beta (Tri-Beta) Biological Honors Society hosted their last week of the activity drive this past week from Jan. 24 to Jan. 28 at the Center of Natural Sciences (CNS) 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. following their previous weeks of the drive on Jan 17th and Jan 10th. They accepted donations of crossword puzzles, journals, DVDs, coloring books, etc. to be donated to the Home Sweet Home Ministries homeless shelter in Bloomington, IL. The honors society will also be hosting a blood drive next week on Wednesday, February 2nd, in the Hansen Student Center.
The organization has been running the activity drive for several years and hopes to “help those in need,” according to Tri-Beta president, Hannah Johnson.
Johnson emphasized that this is especially true during the pandemic where in-person activities have been limited and many are left with solo activities. The proceeds were donated to the Home Sweet Home Ministries in Bloomington, IL, a local homeless shelter that has been serving the Bloomington community for over a century, since 1917. The shelter is located south of Downtown Bloomington off Oakland Ave.
“Tri-Beta members also work to serve those in medical need by hosting blood drives in collaboration with the American Red Cross from each semester,” Johnson said. “Our organization provides valuable opportunities to develop a greater appreciation for the sciences and also serve those in need.”
Tri-Beta is well-known on campus for its volunteer work in blood donation services and has been running blood drives on campus for many years.
Tri-Beta encourages eligible members of the IWU community to donate blood, especially during the pandemic where blood shortages run rampant across the country.
The American Red Cross says that it is experiencing one of the worst blood shortages because of many school, workplace, and campus closures due to the pandemic. Blood donations are critical to patient care and ensuring that all patients who require a blood transfusion can get one.
According to Illinois Red Cross, The Red Cross has faced many challenges due to COVID-19, including about a 10 percent overall decline in the number of people donating blood as well as ongoing blood drive cancellations and staffing limitations. The pandemic has also contributed to a 62 percent drop in blood drives at schools and colleges, which is where Tri-Beta is wants to step in.
Students, staff, and faculty who are interested in donating blood can call the American Red Cross at 1-800-Red-Cross, visit the website at redcrossblood.org, or visit the tables in Memorial Center or the Center for Natural Sciences atrium to sign up there. The blood drive will run from 12 pm to 5 pm in Hansen Student Center.
The American Red Cross is also offering a $10 virtual Amazon gift card for donors who give blood in February when donors sign up through the Red Cross.