SPANISH FORT, Ala.—Students and faculty at Spanish Fort High School got a little jump on the giving season recently when the Key Club hosted its annual blood drive.

The event netted 95 units of blood, exceeding expectations.

“We only projected 70 units, so they did fantastic,” said Shelley Asmus, assistant regional manager for LifeSouth Community Blood Centers in Daphne.

Asmus said the school’s personal record remains the 102 units collected in 2008, but organizers should feel a sense of accomplishment for helping LifeSouth continue serving as the sole supplier of vital blood components to eight hospitals across Baldwin and Mobile counties.

In addition, Asmus said high schools and college campuses present the most immediate opportunities for offsetting blood-donation shortages, especially during the travel-heavy holiday season.

 “Obviously, increased travel—and the increase in drunk driving among other things—affects the need for blood supplies, and the high schools in this area always step up,” Asmus said.

All blood types are currently in demand, he said, but the need for negative blood types is more critical at the moment locally.

“It’s just a fact that this time of year the need increases, and the number of available donors tends to decrease,” he said.

Of course, SFHS isn’t the only Baldwin County locale offering the opportunity to give.

Asmus said Gulf Shores High School will host its own drive Dec. 1 and Thomas Hospital in Fairhope will host a drive open to the public on Dec. 9-10.

“Fortunately for us, a lot of people see donating blood as a way to be philanthropic this time of year, and it certainly is an economic way to give back without hurting your wallet,” Asmus said.