(L- r) Top row: Mary Etta Castles, Sarah Dobbs, Priscilla Ehreth, Leanna McDonald, Emily Bakhaus, Elaine Epting, Gus Inabinet, and Michael Zalesne. Second row: Mrs. Muller, Mills Eaddy, Beth Hooks, Sarah Felmly, Kaki Smith, Kathryn Reddic, Alexandra Manning, Boykin Carter, Alexandra Little, Jazie Kuilan, and Jewel Gibbs. Third row: Emily Mungo, Amber Bennett, Emily Nason, Caroline Hubbard, Alexa Breeland, Ali Gray DeLoache, Kathryn Hyatt, and Hampton Smith. Front row: Harvey Shiver, Carol Ehreth, Arianne McArdle, Gabby Rhinehart, Betsy Owen, and Annie Richardson. One of the many philanthropic clubs at Hammond School is now the Red Cross Club.

Katherine Muller, math teacher and Hammond Red Cross Club sponsor said, "I am thrilled to not only teach a wonderful group of kids in the classroom, but also to be able to sponsor a group of teenagers who have decided on their own to volunteer to help others. They already have their hearts in the right place. I am just helping them direct their actions."

Hammond School's Red Cross Club marks the first high school Red Cross Club in the region. Libby Anne Inabinet, chief development officer with the American Red Cross of Central South Carolina, pitched the idea to Hammond students as her Liberty Fellowship project.

Kaki Smith, president of the Hammond Red Cross Club, said, "My biggest goal for this year is to inspire my classmates and instill a sense of goodwill in the Hammond community."

An aim of the Hammond Red Cross Club is to complete one service project per month. During October, members collected money at home varsity football games for comfort kits for disaster victims. The November project involves selling $5 coupons at Belk as part of the Belk Charity Day sale on Saturday, November 15. One hundred percent of coupon profits will go directly to the American Red Cross of Central South Carolina. The coupons will allow customers to buy sale items and regularly priced merchandise at a 20 percent discount, and the "early bird special" from 6- 11 am will give customers $5 off their first purchase of $5 or more.

Betty Giles of Columbia was the Hammond Red Cross Club sponsor when she taught life science to seventh graders during the 1970s. She recalls the group meeting once a month for a health and safety program and making trips to the veteran's hospital and nursing homes. The club also had representation on the Red Cross Council.

"I think students need to learn to give at an early age," Giles said. "It broadens your horizons to see that there are worthwhile organizations, and you can't find a better one than the Red Cross. It's important to realize that there are people in need and to reach out to help."

Martha Scott Smith, former board chair of the American Red Cross of Central South Carolina, said that it has always been her dream to see Red Cross Clubs re- established in schools.

"As a child, I collected pennies for the Red Cross at my school," Smith said. "It always gave me a sense of pride when I collected enough pennies to receive a Red Cross pin. The Red Cross is not going to go away - it has expanded and offers so many services. It's important for young people to know and embrace the ideals of the American Red Cross."