Renegades of the Rotunda to promote blood drive

From staff reports

The Renegades of the Rotunda, a Pittsburgh Pirates independent super fan group, will visit Oil City next week to promote a blood drive at the Oil City YMCA. The drive, open to the public, will be held from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, Sept. 27.

The blood drive is being promoted by Charles Jetter, an Oil City native. Jetter attended all 16 Pittsburgh Steelers games in 2016 and traveled throughout the country in his custom-painted Steelers recreational vehicle. At each location, he coordinated a community blood drive. That year, Jetter helped collected more than 250 pints of blood. Jetter is also a member of the Pirates-related Renegades of the Rotunda.

Oil City area residents may make a donation appointment at www.redcrossblood.org. Walk-ins will all be accepted at the YM. A Polish lunch featuring kielbasa and sauerkraut will be available to all blood donors at the YM. There will be opportunities, too, for donors wearing Pirate garb to have photographs taken with the Renegades. Gifts, including T-shirts and baseballs, will be distributed to donors.

The Renegades of the Rotunda originated in 2013 when Pittsburgh resident Chris Miller attended a Pirate game dressed as an authentic pirate. The idea grew and now includes numerous members who organized as the Renegades and stand at the highest point in PNC Park, the left field rotunda, at home games.

The group has assisted with several Pirates charities, held fundraisers, marched in parades and appeared with Pittsburgh bands.

In their visit to Oil City, the Renegades plan to march in the OCHS-CHS homecoming parade on Thursday, said Jetter, to promote the blood drive on Friday.