Folks from every corner of Lincoln County came together Mondayto help save the lives of others and to help a well-knownBrookhaven resident in her time of need.

Sleeves were rolled up left and right all day in front of TheDAILY LEADER office on Railroad Avenue as resident came out todonate blood at the Mississippi Blood Services mobile unit.

“I’m overwhelmed, because over 150 people showed up to giveblood. We went above and beyond what we expected to collect,” saidKeri Leggett, DAILY LEADER office manager.

The event was also sponsored by Cable One Digital and Q102 as away to raise community awareness and help increase the state’sblood supply, which has suffered greatly during the past year.

Then early Monday morning, residents found they would also behelping Mary Pounds, who owned Pounds Printing Company with herhusband, John, for a number of years before retiring last year.

“It seemed like once people found out we were also doing thisfor Mary Pounds, even more people were lining up to give,” saidLeggett.

Mary Pounds was diagnosed with Acute Lymphomic Leukemia onWednesday and is undergoing chemotherapy at Baptist Medical Center.She will not directly use the blood donated Monday, but willrequire blood during her treatment. The 119 pints of blood will becredited toward her.

She was ecstatic and emotional upon hearing the news that theentire blood drive was dedicated to her.

“Oh, I just can’t believe it. You are all so sweet to me,” saidPounds, who is also a former DAILY LEADER employee.

Representatives with Mississippi Blood Services said the blooddrive was one of the most successful in Lincoln County. It even hadmore donors turn out than most blood drives in Jackson.

“It’s just proof that in a small town there’s so much communitysupport. Our community will rally to support one of its own,” saidLeggett.

The original goal for the drive was 102 donors, which was thenumber needed to get radio personality Chuck Ivey out of the CableOne Digital bucket. He was suspended in the air above the blooddonor van until after lunch Monday.

“I don’t feel any better about heights than I did the day beforeyesterday, but it was quite an experience,” said Ivey, who did geta little sun during his live broadcast in the sky.

People of all ages and races showed up to join in the effort toget “Chuck out of the bucket.”

“I thought it was incredible. The people in this area respond sowell,” said Ivey. “It was exciting to be a part of it.”

Nancy Dupuis, the 102 donor, said she also donated blood Monday”to help people who need it.”

She was one of 153 donors who formed a line from 7 a.m. untilafter 7 p.m., waiting to do their part to help others.

“We had people who were willing to sit out in the heat waiting,”said an amazed Leggett. “Even at 7 a.m., we had people lined up andwe never slowed down all day.”