NORWICH – Families and friends of the late Savannah Williams are asking residents of the greater-Norwich region to donate blood at a special blood drive in Savannah's memory on Thursday, December 21 from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Holy Family School.

The special blood drive is being facilitated by the American Red Cross and will take place one day after the first anniversary of Savannah's death.

Savannah, a 2016 Norwich High School graduate, was a freshman at SUNY Geneseo majoring in biochemistry and a member of the school's women's basketball team. Savannah passed away after her car collided with a tractor-trailer on December 20, 2016.

In her short 18 years of life, Savannah was a community role model who touched the lives of many. She volunteered at the Norwich Family YMCA, and was an active member of Students Against Drunk Driving, Big Brothers, Big Sisters, and YES LEADS—a youth-led program that focuses on drug and alcohol prevention.