YORK, Pa. — More than 100 people are expected to get vital blood and food donations as part of an Eagle Scout project.
“I really like the idea of doing something different, saving lives and helping people," said Rowan McWilliams, an Eagle Scout candidate from Troop 25.
On Saturday, volunteers from Troop 25 joined Rowan McWilliams at Central York Middle School for his blood and food drive clinic. The hybrid event is part of Rowan's "Life Factory" project for his Eagle Scout Award.
Rowan said he wanted to do a project that would have a larger impact on those in need.
“There’s always the need for food, and the Red Cross declared that emergency blood shortage [back in August]," he said. "So, I thought the time would be right to do that kind of service to our area.”
He reached out to the American Red Cross for help with the project, and soon they made arrangements to have the blood drive in the Central York Middle School gymnasium.
“It has been our pleasure to work with somebody, like Rowan, who is all about the community," said Bonnie Wolf, a Red Cross representative who helped out the Eagle Scout.
Wolf said the blood donated during the Life Factory project will help around 150 patients in the hospital.
“Every unit of blood that’s collected can help save up to three patients, so we’re expecting to collect 50 or more units of blood here today," explained Wolf.
Rowan's mother, Kristine, said she is incredibly proud of her son's work. She said the project personifies Rowan's character as a kid who always wanted to help others in his community.
“He’s always been a dedicated, caring, and loving person and this was a way he could extend that part of him and help save people," expressed Kristine.
For Rowan, the project not only assists those in need, but it also embodies many of the 12 points in the Scout's Law.
“It’s helpful to the members of our community. It’s friendly to those around us," said Rowan. "It’s kind, courteous; there’s so much that goes into that.”
