CENTRE — A Memorial Day blood drive hosted by Centre Fire & Rescue at the Centre Fire Department proved to be more than just a community event — it became a demonstration of generosity, service, and personal connection to a cause that local leaders say saves lives every day.

Held on Memorial Day in partnership with the Blood Assurance Bloodmobile, the drive surpassed expectations, collecting 18 pints of blood — well above the original goal of 13 pints.

Mayor Jay Howell and Centre Fire Chief Robert Pace said they were pleased with both the turnout and the community response, calling the event a success and expressing hope that similar drives will become a regular occurrence in Centre.

Following the event, Centre Fire & Rescue shared its appreciation publicly in a social media statement thanking the community for stepping forward to donate.

“Centre Fire/Rescue would like to thank everyone who came out and participated in our Blood Assurance blood drive today,” the department wrote. “Our goal was 13 pints, and thanks to the generosity of our community, we were able to collect 18 pints!

“On behalf of Mayor Jay Howell, Chief Robert Pace, and the entire Centre Fire & Rescue family, thank you for your support and for helping make a difference in the lives of others. Your willingness to give truly helps save lives, and we appreciate each and every donor who took the time to participate.”

On Tuesday morning, WEIS Radio spoke with both Howell and Pace about the success of the drive and the importance they place on blood donation, a subject both men say carries personal meaning.

The pair indicated residents can likely expect more blood drives in the future, emphasizing their belief in the importance of maintaining a local blood supply and making donation opportunities more accessible in the Centre area.

Howell described the event as having gone “awesome” and said he hopes blood drives become an ongoing effort in the city.

As someone who has undergone heart surgery, Howell said donating blood is personal for him because he understands firsthand how important blood availability can be during medical procedures. He said he depended on blood and believes donation is one of the most meaningful ways people can “give back,” adding that no one ever knows when they may be the one in need.

For Pace, the mission of helping others is deeply rooted in both his personal experiences and professional life.

Pace said the turnout was strong and reflected the generosity of the community. He explained that when he lost his arm, he also lost a significant amount of blood. Although he did not require a transfusion at the time, the experience reinforced for him the importance of helping others whenever possible.

Drawing on his background in both military service and the fire service, Pace said he believes strongly in selfless service and wants to continue finding ways to give back to the community. Both Howell and Pace personally participated in Monday’s drive by donating blood themselves.

The motivations for donating extended beyond city leadership.

Several donors who spoke with WEIS Radio shared personal reasons for participating. One donor said the fact that the event was held on Memorial Day served as motivation, explaining it felt like an especially meaningful day to give. Others said they simply believed donating was the right thing to do and hoped their contribution might one day help save someone’s life.

According to Blood Assurance, blood donation remains critically important because blood cannot be artificially manufactured and hospitals rely on a constant supply for trauma care, surgeries, and cancer treatments.

The organization notes that a single blood donation takes less than an hour and can save up to three lives within the donor’s own community.

Blood Assurance emphasizes that donations have a direct local impact, as blood collected stays within the region to help nearby hospitals and patients. The organization supplies local hospitals directly, meaning donations may assist friends, neighbors, and fellow residents during times of medical need.

The need for blood also remains constant because some blood components have a limited shelf life. Platelets, for example, only remain usable for seven days, requiring continual replenishment to meet demand.

Emergency preparedness is another major factor. Blood Assurance says maintaining a stable, multi-day blood supply — particularly for O positive and O negative blood types — is essential for responding to accidents, trauma cases, and other sudden emergencies.

Donors also receive benefits beyond the opportunity to help others. Blood Assurance provides a complimentary mini health screening with each donation, including checks of blood pressure, pulse, temperature, and hemoglobin levels. Blood is also screened for multiple markers as part of safety testing.

The organization additionally offers donor reward programs, including the Hero Club for Type O donors, along with limited-time promotions and gift card incentives at various times throughout the year.

Beyond physical health benefits, Blood Assurance says donating blood can also foster a sense of well-being and reduce stress through acts of service and community contribution.

For residents who were unable to donate Monday but would like to participate in the future, local opportunities appear to be on the horizon.

Based on comments from Howell and Pace, additional drives are expected to be planned in the Centre area as city leaders and Centre Fire & Rescue continue encouraging community involvement in blood donation efforts.

The next scheduled blood drive is currently planned for September 15. Additional details are expected to be released closer to the event date.