*Note: Article has been updated with a corrected date courtesy IMHS. The Club’s first blood drive is scheduled for October 23rd.
IRON MOUNTAIN, Mich. (WZMQ) – As Iron Mountain High School students return to school, the Tri-Hi-Y Club, an all-female organization dedicated to community service, is focused on organizing this year’s series of blood drives, continuing a tradition that’s been a cornerstone of their efforts for decades. The club works closely with the UP Regional Blood Center to organize the drives, the Tri-hi-Y club is preparing another year of service to their school and community with 3 drives scheduled for this school year that the community can join in on.
The Tri-Hi-Y Club, rooted in the principles of the YMCA, stands for “Home, School, Community,” reflecting its mission to serve others across various aspects of life. Beyond their blood drives, the girls also support the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, create handmade cards for veterans and nursing home residents, and participate in other community-focused activities.
Rhonda Carey, the school’s biology teacher who advises the Tri-Hi-Y Club, emphasized the importance of these events, stating, “So Tri-Hi-Y club sponsors 3 blood drives for the highschoolers; it’s actually for students, staff and the community.” Carey, highlighting the significance of the school’s efforts shared, “So the last couple of years we’ve been noted for being the most successful blood drive out of all the high schools in the at UP regional, and I’m really proud of our student body because we’re a fairly small school to be on top of that compared to some of the larger schools around.”
Senior Evan Copley is a participant in the school’s Red Cord Program, where students are distinguished by wearing a red cord at their commencement ceremony if they (or a family member if they are unable to donate on their own) – donate 5 times throughout their high school career. Copley, on track to reach the achievement, shared his commitment to the cause, saying: “It helps a lot of people knowing that you’re donating blood to somebody else. It’s going to help them out…you’re doing it for the right reasons. You’re not doing it for the red cord. You’re doing it for somebody else, and I think it’s when you donate once you save three people, so that’s nice.”
Copley also shared practical advice for first-time donors, “When you go to do it, don’t be scared. They know what they’re doing, and don’t be nervous. And if you’re feeling sick, it’s better not to donate,” he said.
Carey further advised on the logistics and impact of IMHS’s Red Cord program, informing, “Students have to be at least 16 years old and weigh 110 pounds to donate. At 16, they need parental consent, but at 17, they can donate on their own….For those unable to donate due to medical reasons or not meeting the weight requirement, the Red Cord Program allows them to participate by having someone donate on their behalf.”
Reflecting on the Tri-Hi-Y club’s success in hosting the drives, Carey noted, “We collect between 75 – 100 pints of blood each year, and it all stays local.” The next blood drive is scheduled for October 23rd, with additional drives planned for February and April.
Tri-Hi-Y members Annaliese Lucas and Macie Gunville are enthusiastic about the upcoming drives this school year. Gunville mentioned how her friends inspired her to join the club and get involved with community service, particularly the blood drives. “Me personally, my friends really influence me. The stuff they do around the community and the blood drive, just being able to help out is a big thing for me.”
Lucas is looking forward to another successful drive as the club prepares for its first drive on October 23rd. “I would say we get a pretty good turn out from not only our school system, but also from the public…because of the age limit we don’t see a lot of underclassmen, but we definitely have a lot of underclassmen volunteers. We get a lot of students. It’s probably the bulk of our donations,” Lucas informed.
Gunville shared how the Tri-Hi-Y club handles the blood drives, from registration to getting to practice some hands-on medical skills, “So typically when somebody comes in, they go through registration, and then they would go to a vitals table. We take blood pressure, temperature and check them out. And then after their blood is drawn, they go through recovery. They have to stay and get a snack or a drink until they’re fully well.”
Together, the girls invited the community to join in, adding together: ‘‘You should donate blood. Save three lives,” they shared. As the school year progresses, the Tri-Hi-Y Club is set to continue its tradition of service, and Iron Mountain Students are prepared to make a lasting impact on their community, one donation at a time.
Nicole Mattila, a blood collections coordinator with UP Health System, underscored the impact of these drives, stating, “If you are interested in hosting a blood drive at your school or place of business, call the UP Regional Blood Center at 906-449-1450. The UP Regional Blood Center is the sole provider of blood products for 12 U.P. Hospitals. All the blood collected stays right here in the U.P. to help your friends and neighbors.”
For more information about the UP Regional Blood Center, visit:
