"He’s no Dracula, but Lyle Fulmer figures October is perfect for collecting blood. The 2023 Washington Youth Tour student and current S.C. Youth Leadership Council representative held a mobile blood drive for the Red Cross last week at Newberry Electric Cooperative. The Newberry teen planned the blood drive as part of a YLC project for Co-op Month, and he worked with Newberry’s Debra Shaw to promote it throughout the co-op’s service territory and beyond.
“Seeing as how blood is something that the community needs, I figured it was just the perfect opportunity for us to do a blood drive,” said Fulmer. “This is something that the cooperative does. It has a concern for the community. And seeing as how I’m working with them to give back to the community, it’s just something that’s very special.”
Fulmer used the blood drive as an opportunity to educate donors about the seven cooperative principles—handing out info cards and “I love my co-op” bumper stickers.He also made sure the Red Cross employees were taken care—serving them pizza at lunch.
Next month, Fulmer will present a speech to Newberry Electric's board of trustees on the “Power of the Community.” That speech will be recorded and judged against speeches from youth leaders from across the country. The student judged to have the most impactful speech will deliver it at the National Rural Electric Cooperative Assocation's PowerXchange next year.
