42nd Annual Blood Bash: a BHS May Tradition
Barnesville High School’s Blood Bash is returning for its 42nd year with a day filled with blood donations, food and special activities. The Blood Bash will take place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 8 in the Barnesville High School gymnasium and adjoining wrestling room at 910 Shamrock Drive. This year’s goal is to register 350 donors to help save patients’ lives, including those at Barnesville Hospital.
To be excused to participate in the Blood Bash, each student is required to recruit at least two donors.
“When you donate blood, you also help students at Barnesville HS earn scholarship funds,” promotional material notes. “Students get one entry into a random drawing for a scholarship for every two donors they recruit.” The amount of scholarship monies from Vitalant is determined by the number of donors at the drive.
To sign up, visit vitalant.org/bloodbash and search using account code UHS010212, call 1-877-25VITAL, or contact Ron Clark at 740-425-3617 or ron.clark@bevsd.org, or Rachel Bennett at 412-736-5506 or rbennett@vitalant.org. A QR code is also available to view all open appointment times.
Vitalant is the nation’s largest independent, nonprofit blood services provider. It partners with Barnesville Exempted Village School District to bring the blood bash to life. Learn more about Vitalant on its website.
Student council advisor Chris Pack said Vitalant continues to improve efficiency, helping reduce wait times each year.
Pack said organizers are working this year to give the Blood Bash the feel of a “great Fourth of July picnic.”
“We are looking into decking out this year’s Blood Bash in patriotic decor to help celebrate the Country’s semiquincentennial,” he said.
The first 350 donors at the event will receive a special commemorative T-shirt featuring the Statue of Liberty and this year’s Blood Bash slogan, “Let Freedom Flow”. The shirts are made possible by the generous donation from Robert Shugert of Shugert Farms, Morristown, who is the “Title Sponsor” of the 2026 Blood Bash.
The Student Council is the lead service organization for the blood drive. The National Honor Society, Key Club and Junior Class will also assist in staffing the event.
Student Council co-presidents Natalie Burkhart and Izzy Reed are leading planning efforts which include ideas ranging from fireworks and parades to hot dog eating contests and talent shows, according to Pack.
Junior class officers Brooklyn Miller, Aiden Caldwell, Bonita Passmore and Kennedy Little are organizing several contests, including wiffle ball and rock-paper-scissors tournaments. Maddox Whaley will serve as the DJ for the event.
Food and treats will be available, including Fairyland ice cream and lemonade, along with Student Council cotton candy and popcorn. Proceeds from sales will support Student Council leadership and community service projects.
The culinary arts classes will also provide special baked goods for the canteen.
“We take great pride in being among the largest high school blood drives in the country and that would not be possible without the great community support we receive in western Belmont County,” Pack said.
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