On July 12, Temple’s Benefits Office, part of Human Resources, hosted its first-ever blood drive. American Red Cross nurses and volunteers spent more than six hours in the Liacouras Center’s Fox-Gittis Room, and left with 66 units of blood donated by the Temple community.

At first, the Red Cross had set a goal of 45 appointments with a hope of gaining 30 units at Temple.

“They were not sure we could make that, given the summer vacation schedules and the fact that students and faculty are generally not present on campus,” recalled Jennifer Silvestri, assistant vice president of benefits administration.

They made that and more.

“The Red Cross asked us to stop taking names because they did not have the staff,” said Silvestri, adding, “Bridget Boyle, administrative specialist in the Benefits Office, did a terrific job organizing and promoting this.

“We are very excited about the positive spirit of giving that we saw.”

The Benefits Office is planning a second drive in the fall; watch the Temple Today e-mail or check the TUcalendar (http://calendar.temple.edu) for updates and details.