FORT LORAMIE — Fort Loramie never falters when the Community Blood Center (CBC) asks donors to give from the heart in February to help fight back against the challenges of late winter. More than 60% of the CBC’s blood collections for Feb. 21 came from the St. Michael’s Hall blood drive.

The blood drive totaled 232 donors, including 220 whole blood and 12 platelet and plasma donors, adding to its legacy of February fortitude. The February 2021 blood drive totaled 224 donors despite eight inches of snow. The February 2022 blood drive gathered 283 donors in support of young cancer patient Adam Schulze.

Part of the challenge this February was that a large high school blood drive was forced to cancel Tuesday, leaving St. Michael’s as one of only two mobile blood drives on the schedule.

St. Michael’s hosts six blood drives per year, all sponsored by the Fort Loramie American Legion Ladies Auxiliary, the Fort Loramie Community Service Club, St. Michael’s Church and the St. Michael’s Knights of St. John.

Enlisting new blood donors is paramount to blood drive coordinator Jane Poeppelman. Though six first-time donors Tuesday, Feb. 21, was a modest number, it was a clear gain over the December St. Michael’s blood drive when there were none.

“I know we had one who said, ‘I’m coming back – for sure!’” said Poeppelman. “We love our donors but there are plenty more out there. Think about it and give it a try. There are so many people who need help.”

17-year-old Calder Bergman made his first lifetime donation Tuesday as part of pact with his Fort Loramie High School friends who carpool to the Upper Valley Career Center (UVCC). “One donated before,” he said. “We talked about it and said, ‘Let’s do it.’”

Grant Poeppelman donated at UVCC in December, while Brandon Frilling and Jason Seigel made their first lifetime donations at St. Michael’s.

“We all do it, and we plan to continue donating,” said Calder.

Leslie Allen started donating at Fort Loramie High School and made her fourth lifetime donation Tuesday. She came to the blood drive with her mom, Tracy, who played basketball at Fort Loramie in the 90s when Jane Poeppelman was still coaching the girls team.

Kristina Poeppelman, of Minster, wife of Jane’s cousin, made her eighth lifetime donation.

“I’ve been trying to come help – and it’s not just because of Jane,” Kristina said.

Gerald “Gary” Bensman, who served 12 years as mayor of Fort Loramie, made his 187th lifetime donation. He calls it “a real positive” when high school donors become part of the St. Michael’s mission.

“I think that it’s just a good ethic about helping out people,” said Bensman. “They see things that need to be done and they’re willing to sacrifice. It comes from good leadership. We get great support for every project going on.”