Summersville, WV (WOAY) –Â The annual Lt. Aaron Acree Memorial Blood Drive returns to Summersville Oct. 8-9, collecting blood donations and raising money for first responders in crisis.
The drive honors Acree, a Summersville Police Department lieutenant who died in 2018. It is hosted by Armor Up West Virginia, a nonprofit that supports first responders dealing with mental health issues, substance use and suicidal thoughts.
Organizers hope to collect 102 donations, a goal tied to Acree’s unit number with the department. Proceeds from a bake sale and auction held during the drive go directly to first responders in need.
“We sat down with the Acree family several years ago when we lost Aaron, and they wanted to help people in his memory,” said Vanessa Stapleton Riley, president of Armor Up West Virginia. “So we said, okay, well, we’ll do a blood drive, and if we can save one life, then it’ll all be worth the effort … We have saved five lives so far. West Virginia first responders, specifically, and actually two more who are not in West Virginia who were suicidal.”
The drive runs from noon to 6 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 8, and noon to 5 p.m. Friday, Oct. 9, at New Beginnings Worship Center in Summersville. Appointments can be scheduled at redcrossblood.org. Organizers say people do not need to give blood to attend and support the bake sale and auction.
