Lansing, MI. -- The Diversity Committee of the Mid-Michigan Chapter of the American Red Cross in partnership with the National Pan-Hellenic Council (NPHC) of Lansing is sponsoring the Richard Letts Memorial Blood Drive, Monday, May 9, 2005 from 2:00 pm - 7:45 pm at the Great Lakes Blood Services Region Donor Room, 1729 Saginaw Street, in Lansing.

Known as Mr. Lansing, Richard Letts was a Lansing native, graduating from Lansing Central High School in 1941, a gifted athlete, he was an AAU boxing champion in central Michigan and the state of Ohio. After serving in the US Army, he attended Michigan State University and later graduating from West Virginia State College.

Mr. Letts served as recreation director for the Lincoln Community Center form 1949-1965. In 1965, he launched the Lansing School District’s Head Start Program. He was named the director of the City of Lansing Human Relations Committee and became the Equal Opportunity Officer and Affirmative Action Coordinator, retiring in 1993. He served on the Michigan Civil Rights Commission.

The members of the National Pan-Hellenic Council of Lansing are James Butler (Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity), Terri Flowers (Zeta Phi Beta Sorority), Edward Forrest (Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity), Linda Goins (Delta Sigma Theta Sorority), Jacques McNeely (Omega Psi Phi Fraternity), Patricia Quinn (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority) Vivian Tansil (Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority), and Gregory Wallace (Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity).

The event will be catered by the Olive Garden Restaurant.

You can give blood if you are at least 17 years of age, weigh 110 pounds or more, are in good health, and have not donated within the last 56 days. People with high or low blood pressure, allergies, and high cholesterol are not automatically excluded. To learn more about blood donation opportunities, visit www.givelife.org for additional information.

Make an appointment by calling 1-800-GIVE-LIFE (1-800-448-3543) and request the Letts Blood Drive.

For more information, contact Vivian Tansil, Chairman of the Diversity Committee; Terri Flowers, President of the NPHC of Lansing; or Deirdre Robinson Telerecruitment Manager for the Great Lakes Blood Services Region.