As Bucks County, Pennsylvania, inches closer to September, a flurry of activity is underway—both in the region’s forests and its community centers. Residents are being called upon to roll up their sleeves for a good cause, while nature prepares for its own annual spectacle. The American Red Cross is sounding the alarm for blood and platelet donors in Bucks County and the greater Philadelphia area, even as locals eagerly await the vibrant hues of fall foliage that will soon sweep across the landscape.
According to NewtownPANow.com, the American Red Cross has made an urgent appeal for blood donations of all types, especially O positive and B negative. This call comes at a critical time: changing routines, packed schedules, and the threat of severe late-summer weather—including hurricanes—are all factors that could keep people from donating. The organization has faced significant setbacks in the past year. Between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, approximately 1,500 blood drives were canceled due to weather, resulting in more than 40,000 uncollected donations, Red Cross officials reported. That’s a staggering figure, one that underscores just how vital every pint can be.
To encourage participation, the Red Cross has partnered with Peanuts, the beloved comic strip by Charles Schulz, to celebrate its 75th anniversary in a playful way. Anyone who donates blood between August 29 and September 21, 2025, will receive an exclusive Red Cross x Peanuts mystery bag, which includes one of four unique T-shirt designs—while supplies last. There’s even an added twist: golden tickets are randomly hidden in some of the bags. Lucky donors who find one can redeem it online for all four shirt designs, making the experience more than just a charitable act—it’s a bit of fun, too. Details are available at RedCrossBlood.org/Peanuts.
For those ready to answer the call, there’s no shortage of opportunities. Donation drives are scheduled across Bucks County from late August through mid-September, with sites in Langhorne, Bensalem, Buckingham, Doylestown, Feasterville Trevose, Levittown, Newtown, Perkasie, Quakertown, Richboro, Richlandtown, Warminster, and Warrington. To donate, individuals must bring a blood donor card, driver’s license, or two other forms of identification. The Red Cross also allows donors to use RapidPass, enabling them to complete pre-donation reading and health history questionnaires online ahead of their appointment. Appointments can be made by visiting RedCrossBlood.org, downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, or calling 1-800-RED CROSS.
Eligibility guidelines remain straightforward. Most people aged 17 (or 16 with parental consent where allowed), weighing at least 110 pounds and in generally good health, may be able to donate. High school students and other young donors under 19 must also meet certain height and weight requirements. Red Cross officials emphasize that every blood type is needed to maintain a stable regional supply, especially as unpredictable weather continues to disrupt planned drives.
While some residents are considering how they can help their neighbors by donating blood, others are looking forward to the natural show that autumn brings. According to recent reporting by the Bucks County Courier Times, the region’s trees are gearing up for their annual display. Southeastern Pennsylvania’s trees typically reach their colorful peak in October, but some leaves in Bucks County could begin to change as early as the end of September.
Last year’s Pennsylvania Fall Foliage Reports from the Bureau of Forestry showed that the first hints of color appeared in the last week of September. Statewide data compiled from 2018 to 2024 indicates that most trees in the area begin changing color in the second week of October, with the most vibrant hues arriving by the last week of the month. The Explore Fall website, which provides daily foliage forecasts based on temperature, precipitation, and daylight, estimates that Bucks County will see low color around September 30, moderate color by October 15, and high color around October 22. Peak color is projected for October 26, with the season winding down by November 3.
The science behind this transformation is as fascinating as the spectacle itself. As the US Forest Service explains, three factors influence when and how leaves change color: pigments, length of night, and weather. During the growing season, leaves are packed with chlorophyll, the pigment that enables photosynthesis and gives leaves their green color. As daylight wanes in the fall, chlorophyll production slows and eventually stops. When that happens, carotenoids (responsible for yellow, orange, and brown hues) and anthocyanin (which produces reds) are revealed. The lengthening nights are the main trigger, causing leaves to close off their veins and trap sugars, which in turn encourages the production of anthocyanin.
Weather plays a huge role in the vibrancy of the season. Warm, sunny days followed by crisp, but not freezing, nights tend to produce the brightest reds, purples, and crimsons. On the flip side, storms and strong winds can strip trees of their leaves prematurely, dulling the show. Kayla Kehres, a service and urban forester with the Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry, told the Courier Times, “It really just comes down to having a traditional year of normal weather, which is really difficult anymore, for various reasons. If we get lots of storms and wind … that can blow the leaves off, that can really ruin our fall foliage here too.”
Part of what makes Pennsylvania’s fall foliage season so special is its length and variety. The state’s Department of Conservation and Natural Resources claims that Pennsylvania has “a longer and more varied fall foliage season than any other state in the nation—or anywhere in the world.” This is thanks to its diverse topography and microclimates, which allow a wide range of tree species to thrive. Bucks County, for example, is home to tulip poplar, red and white oak, red maple, black gum (which turns scarlet), sugar maple (orange-red), and hickory species (golden bronze). The region’s unique position as a meeting point for northern and southern species means residents can enjoy weeks of changing colors, sometimes by simply driving from one part of the state to another.
For those eager to get outside, Bucks County offers a wealth of leaf-peeping destinations. Churchville Nature Center, Silver Lake Nature Center, Lake Nockamixon, Ralph Stover State Park, Fuller-Pursell Nature Preserve, Peace Valley Nature Center, Tyler State Park, Neshaminy State Park, and the Delaware Canal towpath are all prime spots. Whether you prefer a stroll through meadows, a hike in the woods, or a scenic drive past historic barns, there’s something for everyone. The Pennsylvania Bureau of Forestry and Department of Conservation and Natural Resources provide fall foliage maps and reports to help residents plan their outings. Explore Fall will begin tracking daily leaf color changes on September 1, offering up-to-date information for would-be leaf peepers.
As Bucks County prepares for both community action and natural beauty, residents have a unique opportunity: to give back by donating blood and to savor the fleeting, colorful glory of autumn. In a region where both generosity and natural wonder run deep, it’s a season worth celebrating from every angle.