Thanks to the generosity of PowerSouth employees, the Red Cross collected life-saving units of blood during its Dec. 7 blood drive at PowerSouth’s headquarters facility.

PowerSouth Safety Manager Buddy Manring said he was pleased with the number of people that showed up to donate.

“We had 41 sign in for this month’s drive, and the Red Cross was able to collect 36 units,” he said. “Our goal was 35.”

As an incentive to give, each employee who donated was entered into a drawing for $100.

Administrative clerk Cindy Majors won the prize.

PowerSouth Engineering Assistant Dennis O’Neal is one of the regular givers at the PowerSouth drives. O’Neal gave a unit of blood at the Dec. 7 drive, adding to the total amount he has donated since his junior year in high school.

“It went very well, and I had no adverse effects. Once I realized how easy it was to give and how important the need for blood was, I’ve tried to give when I could,” he said.

Majors, the $100 winner, works in PowerSouth’s Safety Department and recognizes the value of blood donations.

“I see the value in giving blood because you can never predict when you, a family member or friend may need it,” said Majors. “Whatever the reason, the need is constant in our local hospitals. It also makes me feel good knowing I’ve helped change a life.”

PowerSouth works with the Red Cross Blood Services Unit to make blood donations very convenient for employees. “The $100 drawing makes it interesting, as well,” said O’Neal.

“It seems like a small thing — to give 30 minutes and a little discomfort to be able to help someone out when they’re in need,” said Manring. “This is a very direct way we can help the people in the community we live in.”