An American Red Cross blood drive, held on April 15 at the Piankatank Ruritan Club in Hudgins, resulted in the collection of 53 units of blood. A total of 54 potential donors showed up, with eight deferrals and eight providing Double Red donations, and one unable to give a sufficient quantity. First-time donors in Mathews included Gordon Penick, Taryn Ramer, David Walsh, Karen Whitman. Kim Rudisill gave for the first-time ever. One-gallon pins were awarded to Jean Howard (pictured above), as well as Wendy Brown and Laura Simpson. Marti Bowen and Lawrence Kennedy both received four-gallon pins, while Eric Petitpierre earned a six-gallon pin. The next Mathews community blood drive will be held on July 15.