Oresta Borodevyc is a pre-junior majoring in biological sciences and minoring psychology and is the president of the American Red Cross Club at Drexel University.
TT: Can you give me a general overview of what you guys do, how big you are and just some background information about it?
OB: Sure. Our group started maybe about four or five years ago and we’ve increased our membership ever since then. Everyone who essentially joins either has been in a Red Cross Club in high school or has heard of the Red Cross and are willing to help. Mainly, what we do is partner with the Southeastern Pennsylvania chapter here in Philadelphia on 23rd and Chestnut [streets] and they help us run blood drives.
We also help them with something called the Red Cross House over on 40th and Powelton, where you serve meals to those who have lost their house because of a fire or something like that. They seek shelter at this Red Cross House — so we go there and volunteer and help serve meals. The other thing that they do is once the fire occurs, they help hand out fire safety bags and we occasionally help with that. It’s just going around the city and hanging informational flyers on the doors of the homes.
TT: So what is the coolest experience that you’ve been a part of because of this organization?
OB: I would say meeting a bunch of people with different backgrounds. Because of that, our organization has grown stronger and we cater to the ideas of the students. So a lot of the events that we do throw are because of students who are really dedicated to the club.
TT: Can you give me some specific examples?
OB: Sure. So last year we had a fundraiser where — I can’t remember who it was, but we had a fundraiser where we partnered with another student organization here at Drexel and we helped raise money. Things like that.
TT: What has been the most unique experience that you’ve had?
OB: When we had the blood drive recently, it was held in all different places around campus; and I got to persuade people to donate which was really interesting because, you know, they see you coming and they’re just trying to avoid you at all costs and then you have to give them reasons like, “Oh you save three lives if you donate,” and try to get them to be less afraid of the process.
TT: How well did that work?
OB: It worked pretty well. I still think we were under our goal, but it was pretty good for a day where students have midterms and stuffs like that.
TT: If the Red Cross Club was a kitchen appliance, what would it be and why?
OB: A spoon, because we’re needed in everyday life and we help scoop in the inner volunteer.
TT: What is your favorite type of dinosaurs?
OB: I would say one of the — I don’t know what they’re called — but the bird type, not the land-walking dinosaurs.
TT: Like a pterodactyl?
OB: Yeah!
TT: Do you have a rough estimate of how many people per year you impact? Is that something you guys know at all?
OB: No, we didn’t really think about that and I’m not sure how to accurately count that. But in terms of retention in the club, I would say a good 50 percent return, but because of incoming students, we get an overload, and those are the most dedicated: we get about 50 per year. It’s a pretty good cohort.