Carla Ray, of NCCU's Red Cross Club, makes a condom rose to sell in Pearson Cafeteria.

If you were having lunch in Pearson Cafeteria or were in the Student Union during the week of Feb. 10 you might have been approached to buy a $1 rose. But it wasn’t your typical rose. It was a rose made from two Lifestyle condoms.

“The condom-rose represents safe sex,” said Red Cross Club adviser Deanna Atchley. “It was thought up by members of the N.C. Central University Red Cross Club and Project Safe.”

On Feb. 4 and 6, members from both organizations used their 10:40 a.m. break to make more than 200 condom-roses to sell on Valentine’s Day.

Atchley said the purpose of the project is to help students plan for and prevent emergencies. She is an employee of the Durham Red Cross.

Club members from the Red Cross and Project Safe really liked the idea of the condom roses and enjoyed making them.

“I believe the condom rose is a good way to promote safe sex among college students and the Red Cross Club is a wonderful campus organization,” said biology freshman Jackie Nneji, a Red Cross Club member. “It exposes students to various community service events and gives them worth while health related experience.”

According to Nneji, the Red Cross club has helped her become aware of different health issues as well as earn community service hours.

“ The condom rose to me is a creative way to promote safe sex,” said Red Cross Club member Velvet Williams, a biology freshman.

Williams, a blood and organ donor, says she’s proud to be a member of such a positive organization.

Williams said the club is an excellent place to meet people who share the same interests.

The two clubs raised $200 for community service events.

The Red Cross Club meets every Tuesday at 10:40 a.m. in the Miller-Morgan Sciences Building Conference Room.