Southampton Youth Host Blood Drive To Honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

FLANDERS, NY — Southampton youth will spend Martin Luther King Jr. Day giving back in a life-saving way — hosting a blood drive.

The Town of Southampton Youth Bureau’s Youth Advisory Committee will host the Community Blood Drive on Monday, January 19, from noon to 6 p.m. at the David W. Crohan Community Center, located at 655 Flanders Road in Flanders.

The committee chose to hold the event on Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a National Day of Service, as a way to give back to the community, organizers said.

The blood drive is organized in partnership with the New York Blood Center to help meet the ongoing need for blood donations.

One pint of blood can save up to three lives, "making every donation critically important," organizers said.

In recent weeks, blood donations have dropped nearly 40 percent below what is needed to meet hospital demand, resulting in less than a two-day supply of blood for more than 200 hospitals across the tri-state area, leading to the New York Blood Center to call the situation and "emergency" and issue an urgent call for donors, officials said.

Appointments are encouraged, but walk-ins are also welcome. To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-933-2566 or click here.

The Youth Advisory Committee is made up of local middle and high school students who help plan programs and lead community service projects.

"Hosting this blood drive is one way YAC members are supporting the health and well-being of the community while honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s legacy of service," organizers said.