BYU partners with Red Cross to help save lives during service week

To celebrate its sesquicentennial year and honor Martin Luther King Jr., BYU held a campus-wide Service Outreach Day Jan. 21, with pop-ups in various campus locations to offer service to the community.

Service has long been a defining value at Brigham Young University, where students are encouraged to uplift others through both large and small acts of kindness. This tradition was especially apparent during the service day, which invited participants to pause their routines and give back in meaningful, accessible ways.

Annually, the university organizes a blood drive in collaboration with the American Red Cross, where students, faculty and local residents can donate blood.

Laurel Williams, a member of Y-Serves 150th Committee, explained that throughout campus, various pop-up services and activities were creating opportunities to support good causes.

Along with volunteering at the Wilkinson Student Center, other buildings took part in the initiative as well, including the Life Science Building.

At the LSB, Ben Ivans, a pre-medical student on the Service Council, led an activity where students could make suncatchers for the elderly. He mentioned that the craft was popular as it brought physical and emotional light to those in need. Ivans urged students to take part because it only takes two to five minutes to do something meaningful.

On the third floor of the Wilkinson Student Center, a blood drive was held with the Red Cross.

English major and blood donor Emily Rocknak said this specific service is critical to the world. After receiving an email from the American Red Cross on the severe blood shortage, Rocknak knew what she had to do.

It is something that is easy to do and helps a lot of people ... It doesn't really take much out of my life or day to do it, so it's a really easy way to serve, Rocknak said.

BYU student Jacob Gray got into donating blood on his mission after discovering his blood type was Type O-positive. This blood type is compatible with most patients, so Grays donations are very useful to the Red Cross. He was searching for ways to contribute his time and efforts when he found the Y-Serve website.

The blood drive emphasized BYUs commitment to service by making opportunities accessible and impactful. From small creative projects to life-saving blood donations, students are reminded that meaningful service does not require extensive time or resources.

The event reinforced Martin Luther King Jr.s legacy by encouraging individuals to uplift others through simple, intentional acts of compassion.

Theyre on campus a lot, so they make it easy to serve, Rocknak added.

Williams went on to say this outreach experience is a great way to get involved in the community and create community.