Red Cross Youth Saajan Bhakta wins Kohl’s Department Store Scholarship
Saajan Bhakta is an extraordinary Red Cross volunteer. Saajan lives in Wichita, Kansas and began volunteering for the Region at the age of 11. Saajan spent an hour after school each day labeling postcards to invite donors from across our region to visit a local blood drive.
During the summer of 2009, Saajan prepared the chapter with an e-mail reminding them that he would soon be 15 and eligible to volunteer in our donor center and at blood drives. By his 15th birthday he was on schedule to fill a position in the chapter’s donor center.
Following in the summer of 2010, Saajan sent another e-mail alerting the chapter that he would soon be 16 and eligible to donate blood. His first donation was here at the center soon after his 16th birthday. Saajan donates whenever eligible and makes it a celebration by inviting friends to come along and donate also.
Last summer, Saajan coordinated his first blood drive, the first of 3 drives. The amazing results from those 3 drives was 26 new donors and 80 pints of blood. The 3 drives were in addition to his high school drives. Saajan graduated this last spring and will be attending Wichita State University this fall. We feel very fortunate to keep him close and active in our community.
Saajan was chosen for the Kohl’s Department Store Scholarship based off an organization he created called PovSolve. He created this after visiting and witnessing the poverty in India. The goal is to send $10,000 worth of support and goods each year. To date, the organization has positively impacted the lives of more than 3,000 people and has inspired more than 600 volunteers to aid those in need. For more information visit: http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/07/31/idUS136700+31-Jul-2012+BW20120731
His largest achievements include being the Prudential Top Youth Volunteer of Kansas, a Presidential Youth Volunteer Service Award, and the Kohl’s Cares Award.
Keep up the great work Saajan, you are an inspiration to us all!
-Siena Oberman
