Of the people eligible to give blood in New Jersey, only 3 percent actually donate it. That means hospitals and other places in need of blood in the state have to import it from other places.

On one Saturday a month, though, locals are doing their part to donate blood at the American Red Cross' drive at the Millburn Public Library.

"We have a number of dedicated people, and this is a convenient place," said Malcolm MacKinnon, one of the chairs of the monthly drive for the Millburn-Short Hills Chapter of the American Red Cross.

The Millburn drive draws 80-120 people each month. Sometimes people come to donate but they're turned away because their iron is too low or have traveled to a restricted zone too recently. The goal is for 100 usable donations, and MacKinnon said they often reach their goal.

One of those regulars is Fern Bavosa, who has been giving blood for 12 years. She used to donate when she taught in New York City. She saw the signs for the drive in Millburn and thought it would be a good to donate blood again. She has O-positive blood, which is a universal type, which adds to her willingness to donate.

"It takes so little time and it doesn't hurt," she said of donating. "(Blood) is needed all the time. If you're healthy enough, you should do it."

There's a spike in the number of people who donate after a tragedy, such as the Sept. 11 attacks, but those donations can't be used for at least 48 hours, MacKinnon said. It's why people need to donate blood on an ongoing basis.

"We need a steady supply," he said. "We need a new flow of people, which is why we focus on the high schools."

Fifteen percent of blood donations come from high school students, and the Millburn-Short Hills chapter regularly holds drives at Millburn High School. Under new law, 16 year olds can donate blood now with parent consent.

Bavosa's son, who is now in college, is among those who donate. When he's home, he'll come donate with her at the local drive.

The high school's Red Cross Club also is active and its members volunteer for two-hour shifts or more at the monthly blood drive working in the canteen. Sarah Thompson, a high school student, said there's always a need for blood and its something she can always give. "You always have blood, and it doesn't hurt," she said.

The increase in the number of people who have donated at the Millburn drive has increased over time. MacKinnon said he started donating in 1993 when the drive was at the high school. "Hardly anyone donated," he said. "It needed to be more prominant to get more people."

He took over in 1994, and three times as much blood is donated today than then. MacKinnon attributes it to more blood drives and publicity. In addition to the notices in the local press, there are signs throughout downtown to alert people of the drive. People who donate also fill out a card to be mailed to notify them of the next drive when they are eligible to give again in eight weeks.

While many of the workers drawing blood are provided by the Penn-Jersey chapter, the Millburn-Short Hills chapter facilitiates the event and provides some volunteers. Peggy Arnold, who works with MacKinnon on overseeing the drives, facilitates the volunteers, including the high school students.

"(The volunteers) chat with people and make them feel comfortable," she said. "I think our donors come back partly because of the people here and the familiar faces."

She will be notified by the chapter when there are new volunteers after they've filled out an application and gone through a background check. Some poeple spend their entire days there or they stay part of it.

On this particular Saturday, former Police Chief Paul Boegenhausen greeted people as they came off the elevator on the second floor of the library. He guided them to the sign-in table.

People check in with their identification and tell the volunteers if they're a first-time donor. The donor receives a number that's color-coded based on if they have an appointment or not. They're then greeted by a volunteer who instructs them to read information about the process and restrictions on who can donate.

When the person's number is called, they give their medical history in a confidential area. The workers give them a mini physical, which includes taking their blood pressure, temperature and drawing a drop of blood. The blood determines their iron levels.

That's when the person moves on to the donation area. A donation can take as little as 10 minutes in drawing the 70 milliliters, or a pint.

Following the donation, the people head to the canteen area. Donors are required to sit for 10 minutes and have something to drink to rehydrate. There's also assorted food. That's when they're given the reminder card to fill out. Donors also receive a gift certificate for a free car wash at Millburn Car Wash as a thank you.

The next Millburn-Short Hills blood drive is scheduled for March 27 at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Rose of Lima Church. The next drive at the library is scheduled for April 10 at 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Make an appointment by calling 973-379-4198.

Editor's Note: March is Red Cross Month, and we will be profiling Millburn-Short Hills Chapter of the American Red Cross volunteers and services throughout the month.