MOOSEHEART, IL - Helping others while others help you is a concept deeply-ingrained in the social DNA of every student at Mooseheart.

So it should be absolutely no surprise that there was a steady stream through the school's gym building on Wednesday, Nov. 5, during the second of two blood donations. Sign-ups showed over 50 people on the list, though there were additional people who had not signed up who walked up to donate throughout the day.

"Being able to give back to the community is our way of saying 'thank you' to Mooseheart for being able to give us the things that they give us here," Mooseheart sophomore Santana Sanchez said.

Over 50 Mooseheart students, staff members and workers from the Moose International headquarters building took an hour of their time on Wednesday (Nov. 5) to donate blood in one of the campus' two annual blood drives.

Wednesday marked the first time either Sanchez or high school junior Tatanisha Johnson donated blood. At age 16, they could only participate in the blood drive if Mooseheart Executive Director Scott Hart gave his OK.

"I was really scared," Sanchez said. "I was supposed to give blood at 8:30, but I was scared and waited until a little bit later."

Sanchez donated blood in the middle of the morning and had Johnson in an adjacent cot as she went through the process.

"I was kind of scared when she put the (needle) in, but after that, I was OK," Sanchez said.

Having a friend nearby was helpful for Johnson as well, as was the presence of school secretary Jan Okey, who helped coordinate the event.

"At first, I was scared," Johnson said. "Then I saw Mrs. Okey and she started talking to me about how I could possibly save three people's lives if I went through with this. So then I was more OK with doing it."

Even with the words of encouragement, Johnson said she was still nervous as she moved into the cot so she could donate.

"I was nervous until she put the needle in." Johnson said. "After that, everything was OK. If I had to do this anywhere else, I would have been more scared. Having (Sanchez) there really helps too."

Johnson said she hopes to pursue a nursing career. She got to spend considerable time around various nursing professionals during the blood drive.

"I want to help others," Johnson said. "I think this was a way to do that, to help someone else."

Both Sanchez and Johnson were more involved than in simply donating blood. Both helped sign in other donors and made sure donors had a snack or cup of juice before they left.

"It kind of means a lot because I get to help out people and make sure they're OK after they give blood," Sanchez said. "It's nice to know there are a lot of people here giving blood, helping out."

The other blood drive is in April, and there are already students ready to sign up - including ones who just this week gave blood for the first time.

"I'll be doing it again," Johnson said. "It's been a great experience."

Mooseheart Child City & School is a 1,000-acre community and school for children and teens in need of a secure home, located just south of Batavia, IL, between Illinois Route 31 and Randall Road.

Founded in 1913, Mooseheart is supported completely through private donations - the great majority of which come from the 1.1 million men and women of the Moose fraternal organization, in more than 1,800 Lodges and 1,600 Chapters located throughout the U.S., Canada, Great Britain and Bermuda. Moose International headquarters is located on the Mooseheart campus.

Since its founding, Mooseheart has operated a complete, accredited kindergarten-through-high-school academic program, plus art, music, vocational training and interscholastic sports. It is an extremely nurturing and student-tailored program, with an average student-teacher ratio of 12-1.

Mooseheart students who complete their studies with a 3.0 GPA or better (4.0=A) are eligible for up to five years of annually renewable scholarship funding, covering tuition, room and board in an amount comparable to that required for an in-state student at an Illinois public university.

Mooseheart is currently home to nearly 250 students, ranging in age from preschoolers to high school seniors. Applications for admission to Mooseheart are considered from any family whose children are, for whatever reason, lacking a stable home environment. Mooseheart boasts its own U.S. Post Office and a fully functioning branch of Fifth Third Bank.

In addition to Mooseheart, Moose International also supports Moosehaven, a 70-acre retirement community near Jacksonville, FL founded in 1922; and conducts more than $90 million worth of community service programs annually.

Founded in 1888, the Moose organization has long offered its members an opportunity to do good for others while celebrating life, with family, social, and sporting activities. For more information on the Moose organization, visit the websites at www.Mooseintl.org, www.Mooseheart.org, www.moosehaven.org or www.MooseCharities.org, or call 630-966-2229.