HARLINGEN — Kassie Snyder lay across the bed as a nurse prepped her arm to draw blood.
“As a community it’s important to help other people,” said Snyder, who’d joined students and adults at the Harlingen School for Health Professions yesterday to donate blood.
She had learned about the initiative while conducting her own drive to collect food and other supplies for the victims of Hurricane Harvey.
“It’s a good initiative as a community to help other people,” Snyder said as her 9-month-old child played nearby.
United Blood Services had been called up to take blood donations from local residents wishing to help. Those volunteers included students lined up against the wall outside the room of Freddy Gonzalez, 27.
“They cleared out all the equipment to make room for the blood donations,” said Gonzalez, who teaches the pharmacy technician course.
He himself lay on a couch with a blue bandage around his arm and a big smile beneath his dark glasses.
“It’s unbelievable how quickly they set up,” he said. “I am just very happy. They are young adults.”
About 60 people in all were expected to give blood.
A few blocks away, Travis Elementary students had been collecting food, bottled water and other necessities for flood victims.
“I feel like I am helping out because the hurricane has been hitting over there,” said Mallory Pulido, 10, a fifth grader.
“They don’t have anywhere to go,” she said sadly. “It’s so flooded.”
To some kids, the disaster hit closer to home.
“Many members of my family are over there in Houston,” said Juan Miranda, 10. He wore a shirt with the words, “Just Do It,” reflecting his rather “can do” spirit.
“My cousins got to San Antonio,” he said. But, back home, “some are still in their houses in Houston.”
They seemed happy to be in the safety of their homes and classes, but responsible for doing their part. Stacks of food and supplies lined the walls of a hallway, waiting for transport to those in need.
Back at HSHP, while students were giving blood to those in need, they were also accepting donations for the trip north.
“They are collecting toiletries, oral hygiene, bedding,” said Principal Tina Garza. “It’s going on the rest of the week. It’s amazing to see how many students are donating, ages 16 to 17. They have to have parental consent to donate.”
Judging by the lines of students waiting to give blood, parents were very in favor of their children’s benevolent actions. While the school has been collecting canned goods, feminine products, oral hygiene and other needed items, Daniele Ramos came up with the blood drive.
“I am proud of the class of 2019,” said Daniele, a junior at HSHP. “I wanted to coordinate this blood drive. It makes me feel satisfied I got to help and have an influence.”
Garza said 160 people donated 92 units of blood, which would be transported to hospitals in areas affected by Hurricane Harvey.
The students will continue collecting more supplies this week to cooperation with Habitat for Humanity’s efforts to bring aid to those up north.
Meanwhile, Snyder would continue her own efforts to collect aid for the Port Lavaca area where she’s originally from.
