Fairborn, Stebbins students 'MAKE A DIFFERENCE' with unity gift.

FAIRBORN, Ohio – Rivals Fairborn and Stebbins High Schools completed their 2022 “Unity in the Community” campaign Dec. 13 with a $1,000 check presentation to Fairborn High’s favorite charity, the Fairborn Fish Food Pantry.

Fairborn and Stebbins High have partnered in the annual Unity Campaign, sponsored by Community Blood Center and Universal 1 Credit, since 2018.  The rivals host CBC blood drives and alternate choosing a local charity for the $1,000 Unity Award sponsored by Universal 1.

Fairborn and Stebbins hosted their Unity blood drives in the spring semester of 2022 and together totaled 91 donors, including 69 donations and 48 first time donors.

Fairborn Schools Superintendent Gene Lolli, who serves as board president for Fairborn Fish, accepted the award on behalf of Fairborn Fish managers Jane and Bill Doorley.

“We appreciate it so much, especially as we move into the holidays we see the increased demand,” said Jane Doorley. “We are feeding 250 to 350 families every week and we’re seeing an increase in people we have not seen before.

“We had a lady who had trouble paying her electric bill and this was her first time coming to a food pantry. Just the increase in the price of groceries and bills skyrocketing has people asking, ‘How am I going to feed my family tonight?’

Jane says helping people with the immediate need of food is the first step toward their recovery from economic hardship.

“We give them a hand up,” she said. “We couldn’t continue to do it without support from Unity in the Community. What a beautify initiative you have going. The students are making a difference. They’re helping feed the hungry in our community. Its coming from their hearts and that’s pretty powerful.”

The Stebbins March 25 Unity blood drive totaled 61 donors, including 47 donations and 30 first-time donors. The Fairborn May 13 Unity blood drive totaled 30 donors, including 22 donations and 18 first time donors.

Last year Stebbins chose the Mad River Lions Club and collaborated with the Project Share Christmas Basket Program to help needy families in the Mad River School District.

Participating in the award presentation: Fairborn High Principal Waylon Stegall, Fairborn student ambassadors Cady Anne Munger and Lydia Szary, and Fairborn Schools Superintendent Gene Lolli; Universal 1 representative Rhonda Sloan; Stebbins Superintendent Chad Wyen, Stebbins student Ebonie Sherwood, and Stebbins blood drive coordinator Ann Marie Boyce; CBC account manager Cora Johnson.

Blood donation requirements:  Donors are required to provide a photo ID that includes their full name.  Past CBC donors are also asked to bring their CBC donor ID card.  Donors must be at least 17 years of age (16 years old with parental consent: form available at www.givingblood.org or at the Dayton CBC and mobile blood drive locations), weigh a minimum of 110 pounds (you may have to weigh more depending on your height), and be in good physical health.  The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) changes blood donor eligibility guidelines periodically.  Individuals with eligibility questions can email canidonate@cbccts.org or call (937) 461-3220. Make an appointment at www.DonorTime.com. 

Community Blood Center/Community Tissue Services^® is an independent, not-for-profit organization.  Community Blood Center provides blood products to partner hospitals and health centers within its 15-county service area of western Ohio and eastern Indiana and to select hospitals and blood centers outside the region.  For more information visit www.givingblood.org.