In response to ample current blood supplies being available in New York, locally, and elsewhere across the nation, the American Red Cross is holding a collection drive to raise money for other tragedy needs.

The drive lasted from 2 to 7 p.m. yesterday and will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. today in the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union walkway.

Students, faculty, staff and members of the Coles County area may come to donate money at the drive.

The collection drive is a coordinated effort between Eastern, the East Central Illinois Chapter of the American Red Cross and the student volunteer center of the Newman Catholic Center.

Anita Sego, executive director of the local Red Cross chapter, said the purpose of the drive is to raise funds for all the disaster relief needed for this week’s catastrophe.

She said when something like this happens, the Red Cross immediately goes to offer aid, then fund raises later.

All the money collected will be totaled, and a check will be written to the National American Red Cross to reimburse any services offered, such as food, blankets and any type of medical supplies, to the victims and volunteers in New York and elsewhere, Sego said.

“As long as the rescue workers are still working in the rubble, the American Red Cross will be there feeding them,” Sego said.

Community Blood Services donor relations coordinator Melissa Webb, who was involved in Tuesday’s successful blood drive, said many students had to be turned away because an ample supply of blood was collected.

“We need to have people wait a few weeks,” she said.

Sego explained blood has a shelf life of 42 days, and a person can only donate blood every 56 days.

“Since there were severe injuries and burn victims, there will be an ongoing need for blood,” she said. “We appreciate their enthusiasm, but we’re requesting their patience.”

Webb said, “If we take too much blood now, it could expire before we are able to use it.”

Holly Walters, director of the student volunteer center, said response from students at the collection drive has been “overwhelmingly wonderful,” with over 500 people donating money yesterday.

“I feel like students are going out of their way to donate money,” she said.

Walters said The Charleston Veterans of Foreign Wars donated over 800 flags to give to donors.

“What a great symbol,” she said. “It’s been exciting to go around campus and see American flags sticking out of backpacks and in hats.”

George Zorbas, a senior sociology major, came out with two friends to donate yesterday. They said they all matched each other’s donations and collected money from people on their residence hall floor.

Zorbas said he came out to donate because he felt bad for the people involved in the tragedy.

“It’s my good deed of the year,” he said.

Woods Miller, a senior music education major, said he came out to donate just to help the others that need it.

“It’s the least I could do,” he said.

Those still desiring to donate blood can call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE, and anyone wanting to give a monetary donation at any time can call 1-800-HELP-NOW.