BLACKSBURG ROTARY CLUB DONATES MORE THAN 25 UNITS OF BLOOD

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
(Free-Press-Release.com) March 5, 2004 -- BLACKSBURG, VA - As part of its 25th anniversary celebration, the Blacksburg Rotary Club (International District 7570) set a goal to donate 25 Units of Blood for 25 Years of Service within one month to the local American Red Cross. The club exceeded its goal and donated a total of 45 units of blood from 30 Rotarians and 15 guests.



The American Red Cross regional recruitment coordinator, Craige McKenna, honored club members and presented Rotary Club president Jerry Robinson a plaque at a recent lunch meeting.

In its 25 years, the Club has certainly helped the New River Valley community in many ways. Among its accomplishments, the Blacksburg Rotary Club has:

� Contributed more than $100,000 in support of community college and 4-year college support for graduates of Montgomery County Public Schools, as well as funded two full tuition scholarships at New River Valley Community College, named for charter members of the club.

� Raised and donated $214,000 in local funds to the International Rotary Foundation.

� Provided financial assistance to virtually every non-profit entity in the New River Valley, including its most recent contributions of nearly $11,000 in donations to the Women's Resource Center of the New River Valley, the Free Clinic of the New River Valley, the Montgomery County Christmas Store and the Montgomery County Public Schools Character Education Partnership.



A unique logo was created by club members in recognition of the 25th anniversary. Today the Blacksburg Rotary Noon Club has grown to more than 121 members, including nine Charter members who are still active. Subsequently seven other clubs have also evolved over the years in Christiansburg, Giles, Montgomery County, Pulaski and Radford. For more information on the Blacksburg Rotary Noon Club visit: www.rotary7570.org/club/index.cfm/fa/main/cid/BLACKSBURG.htm.

Rotary International is a worldwide organization that includes more than 30,000 clubs in over 160 countries with more than 1.2 million members who provide humanitarian service throughout their communities, encourage high ethical standards across all professions and help build goodwill and promote peace throughout the world.





Contact:

Christina Motley

Blacksburg Rotary Public Relations Co-Chair Executive Vice President

The O'Connor Group

christina.motley@adoconnor.com