Roxanne Peacock, Instructor, observing student Sharome Williams perform a venipuncture.
The recent Phlebotomy Stick Drive, themed “We Needle Little Kindness,” proved to be a success that blended hands-on learning and community support. Hosted by Goodwill Technical College’s Medical Assistant program, the event created a welcoming space where students could sharpen their skills while volunteers showed support through one small act of kindness—offering an arm or a finger.
The purpose of the drive was twofold: to help students enrolled in the phlebotomy course get the 40 sticks required to sit for the Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT) exam and to provide the community with a convenient opportunity to support future healthcare professionals. Volunteers were welcomed into a well-organized, professional environment where safety and comfort were prioritized. For phlebotomy students, each stick wasn’t just a technical skill—it was a chance to practice delivering care with patience, reassurance, and kindness.
Over the course of the event, which took place November 5th – 6th and 12th – 13th, dozens of successful venipunctures were performed under the watchful supervision of certified instructor, Ms. Roxanne Peacock. Students not only demonstrated technical proficiency, but also the interpersonal skills essential to patient-centered care—calming nerves, explaining procedures, and showing genuine kindness to each volunteer who offered an arm or a finger.
The turnout far exceeded expectations. In total, 88 volunteers comprised of community members, classmates, Goodwill staff, and even students from allied health programs at another local technical college showed up ready to help our students achieve their goals. Many said they participated because they loved the idea behind the theme: a little kindness goes a long way—sometimes all the way to helping someone build a career in healthcare. Tremel Smith was asked about her experience as a volunteer and she stated that although she is “fearful of needles, the young lady that stuck me did excellent. I think she was more nervous than I was.” But since the student did such a good job, she volunteered for a finger stick after the arm stick.
The stick drive not only strengthened students’ technical abilities but also emphasized the importance of empathy in patient care. Another volunteer, Terri Lonzo, was asked if her experience at the stick drive was comparable to a real clinic setting and her response was “This was even better because we got smiles.” Each interaction, from greeting the volunteer to applying the bandage, was a chance to show kindness in action. By the end of the event, students walked away with improved skills, renewed confidence, and a deeper understanding of what it means to care for others. Volunteers repeatedly commented on how professional and gentle the students were, noting that the atmosphere felt supportive, uplifting, and surprisingly fun.
With each successful stick, students moved one step closer to their careers—and the community played an essential role in helping them get there. Goodwill Technical College would like to thank everyone who contributed to the event’s success. Your support helped turn a simple practice opportunity into a meaningful community moment—one where kindness was both given and received.