The Anema family, from St. John’s Lutheran Church, will host a Memorial Blood Drive for Eli Jones on Wednesday, Dec. 26, from noon-6 p.m. at St. John’s Lutheran Church on Milnwood Road, Farmville. The goal for the blood drive is 50 units.

According to a release, Elias “Eli” Jones was a Senior at Prince Edward County High School and a student at Southside Virginia Community College when he died suddenly in October 2012. Eli had earned the rank of Life Scout in Boy Scout Troop 6596, where he served as Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. He was working to achieve the rank of Eagle Scout. His Eagle Scout project is a wildflower planter in High Bridge Trail State Park, near the River Road access point.

When a Boy Scout dies before achieving the Eagle Scout Award, Boy Scouts of America offers another award called The Spirit of The Eagle. On Nov. 10, 2013, this award was bestowed by the National Court of Honor as part of the celebration of the life of Eli. It recognized the joy, happiness and life-fulfilling experiences that the Scouting program brought to his life.

Outside of scouting, Eli was a member of the Prince Edward County High School cross-country, indoor and outdoor track teams and a member of the concert band. He was a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church, where he sang in the choir, served as an usher and a lector, was an active member of the youth group and served on the regional confirmation retreat team. Eli was also active in 4-H and was an Earth Team Volunteer for the Natural Resources Conservation Service. He was named the Virginia Outstanding Individual Volunteer in 2010.

Eli was the son of Dennis and Patty Jones of Pamplin, the brother of Ben Jones of Farmville, Emily Linde of Ayer, Massachusetts and Naomi Jones of Pamplin.