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Donors urgently needed to increase winter blood supply for Red Cross
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Staff Report
Published: Feb 13, 2017, 9:52 PM

The American Red Cross urgently needs blood donors to make an appointment to give this winter so that patients can continue to receive lifesaving treatments.

“I used over 300 units of blood when I was younger after an auto accident - blood donations helped save my life,” Michael Harper said. “Now, I would like to donate as much or more than I have received.”

Blood donations are urgently needed now and throughout the winter to maintain a sufficient blood supply for patients in need.

To make an appointment to give blood, download the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767).

All those who come to donate from now until Feb. 26 are eligible to receive a $5 Amazon.com Gift Card via email for making blood and platelet donation a priority this winter.

Upcoming blood donation opportunities:

2/16/2017: 12 - 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.              Savannah

2/17/2017: 7:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m., St. Joseph’s Hospital, 11705 Mercy Blvd.          Savannah

2/17/2017: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.       Savannah

2/18/2017: 7 a.m. - 2 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.       Savannah

2/20/2017: 2 - 7 p.m., Bible Baptist Church, 889 Georgia Highway 24    Statesboro

2/20/2017: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.     Savannah

2/21/2017: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.     Savannah

2/21/2017: 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., GA Pacific River Mill, 393 Ft. Howard Road        Rincon

2/21/2017: 1 - 6 p.m., Goshen United Methodist Church, 6227 Highway 21 South        Rincon

2/22/2017: 9 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ogeechee Technical College, 1 Joe Kennedy Blvd.      Statesboro

2/22/2017: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m., Georgia Southern University Williams Center, 74 Georgia Ave.              Statesboro

2/22/2017: 10 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Statesboro-Bulloch County Parks & Rec, 1 Max Lockwood Dr.        Statesboro

2/22/2017: 12 - 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.              Savannah

2/23/2017: 2 - 7 p.m., Pembroke United Methodist Church, 102 North College St.            Pembroke

2/23/2017: 12 - 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.              Savannah

2/24/2017: 8 a.m. - 3 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.       Savannah

2/25/2017: 7 a.m. - 2 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.       Savannah

2/27/2017: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.     Savannah

2/28/2017: 11 a.m. - 7 p.m., Savannah Blood Donation Center, 25 Tibet Ave.     Savannah

2/28/2017: 1:30 - 6:30 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 917 Grays Highway,          Ridgeland

How to help

Simply download the American Red Cross Blood Donor App, visit redcrossblood.org or call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) to make an appointment or for more information.

All blood types are needed to ensure a reliable supply for patients. A blood donor card or driver’s license or two other forms of identification are required at check-in.

Individuals who are 17 years of age in most states (16 with parental consent where allowed by state law), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.

High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

Blood donors can now save time at their next donation by using RapidPass to complete their pre-donation reading and health history questionnaire online, on the day of their donation, prior to arriving at the blood drive.

To get started and learn more, visit redcrossblood.org/RapidPass and follow the instructions on the site.

Volunteers needed

Another way to support the lifesaving mission of the Red Cross is to become a volunteer transportation specialist and deliver blood products to area hospitals.

Volunteer transportation specialists play a very important role in ensuring an ample blood supply for patients in need by transporting blood and blood products.

For more information and to apply for a volunteer transportation specialist position, contact Darlene Cromwell at 470-316-8672 or Honwan Byrd at 470-316-8671.
Volunteers hold 'Demo Party' to help Rincon Woman Rebuild Storm-Damaged Home
Miss Peggy
Matt Evans, owner of Centaur Home Renovations, consults with volunteer Janel Kearney while directing the demolition process. (Mya Taylor / Effingham Herald)
Mya Taylor
Updated: Aug 28, 2025, 3:11 PM
Published: Aug 28, 2025, 2:43 PM

RINCON, Ga. — Volunteers attended a “demo party” over the weekend to help demolish the interior of 82-year-old Miss Peggy’s home, which was left severely damaged by a storm years ago.

A gloomy forecast and threat of rain did not deter the group from working. When the seven volunteers arrived, they were greeted by Centaur Home Renovations owner Matt Evans, who is leading the renovations. Masks, trash bags and tools were handed out as music played from a large speaker and fans helped keep volunteers cool in the summer heat. Orange arrows painted on the walls directed workers to the areas slated for demolition.

Miss Peggy
Leigh Carter strips wallpaper as part of the interior demolition of Miss Peggy’s home during a community ‘demo party’ in Rincon. (Mya Taylor / Effingham Herald)

Leigh Carter, the first to arrive, was one of several who stripped walls and tore out drywall. Carter’s efforts go beyond renovations — she has also driven Miss Peggy to doctor’s appointments and helped her get rehoused last week at Family Promise of Effingham after a brief displacement.

“We want to get Miss Peggy back home in a safe place to live,” Carter said.

Volunteers spread out through the home, removing damaged drywall and hauling debris to a dumpster in the driveway.

“I decided to join because I thought helping somebody would be a good thing to do,” volunteer Sydney Kearney said. “I just thought it would be nice to volunteer.”

Miss Peggy
Grayson Heaton uses a crowbar to help remove damaged walls during the volunteer demolition day. (Mya Taylor / Effingham Herald)

Repairs underway
Michael’s Roofing of Meldrim completed the first major repair by rebuilding and installing a new roof. The previous roof had been damaged by a fallen tree, which led to water leaks, mildew and mold spreading through the home.

Now Evans and Centaur Home Renovations are leading the next phase of work. Evans joined volunteers in the demolition and said community support has been growing since news of Miss Peggy’s situation was first reported in the Effingham Herald. 

“Since the article was first published, we’ve gotten quite a few reach-outs from people willing to donate their time,” Evans said. “We’ve also had four different dumpster companies donate dumpsters for the cause as well.”

Community organizations are also pitching in. Family Promise and the Manna House Food Pantry and Thrift Store have pledged to provide furniture and other materials once renovations are complete.

The most recent setback came when the septic tank lids collapsed, causing the system to stop working. Evans said crews are now cleaning the tank and clearing the lines.

Miss Peggy
Benny Carter tosses an old mattress into a dumpster as part of cleanup efforts at Miss Peggy’s storm-damaged home. (Mya Taylor / Effingham Herald)

What’s still needed
“After the demo is completed, we can start looking for more materials we’ll need like lumber, drywall, paint, flooring and more to get the house back together,” Evans said.

Additional materials still needed include:

  • 25 2x4x8 studs

  • Four sheets of OSB sheathing

  • Twenty 12-foot deck boards (5/4)

  • Twelve 12-foot sheets of sheetrock

  • 36-inch vanity

  • Two toilets

  • Four ceiling fans

  • Two bathroom fans

  • 60-inch vanity

  • 60-inch fiberglass tub and surround

  • 60-inch fiberglass shower and surround

  • 1,600 square feet of LVP flooring

  • 36-inch exterior door

  • Rolls of drywall tape

  • Buckets of drywall mud

  • Bags of 20-minute drywall joint compound

  • 100 linear feet of baseboard and quarter round

  • 10 gallons of Kilz or Cover Stain

  • 10–12 gallons of white paint

There is no estimated timeline for completion, as more funds and supplies are needed. The GoFundMe campaign for Miss Peggy’s home renovations has raised more than $1,400.

Donations can be made at gofundme.com/f/help-ms-peggy-return-to-a-safe-home.

Miss Peggy
The interior of Miss Peggy’s home shows ceiling stripped and debris cleared in preparation for renovations. (Mya Taylor / Effingham Herald)