submitted by Gail Smith
Saturday, August 9, was a banner day for blood donations at the Hoosick Falls Community Alliance Church. With 40+ appointments, including nine double-reds, and over 20 walk-ins, we ended up with 66 presenting donors.
We want to thank Mollie Henry for helping sponsor the drive for H.F.C.S., for helping make phone calls and for manning the canteen. For the school to receive scholarship money, we had to collect 40 units, and because we were over that mark, H.F.C.S. will receive additional funds. At this point, we don’t know how much.
We so appreciate everyone who came out to donate. It was a beautiful summer day, and you could have been elsewhere, but you chose to stop in and make a difference. Your sacrifice of time and one pint of blood could save up to three lives. Many walk-ins chose to stay even though they knew there could be a considerable wait. Many of you donated in memory of, or in honor of, a loved one. One of our die hard double-red donors took the day off from work so he could give, and someone else celebrated her birthday with us. We had quite a few student donors. It was great to see teens donating right alongside our Senior Citizens. We were pleased to have several first time donors, including my father who is almost 78 years old (and I didn’t even have to twist his arm)! There is a minimum age, but there is no maximum age, as long as you meet standard eligibility requirements. All of these things were so encouraging. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts (no pun intended)!
Thanks also to Weeb’s for donating the doughnut holes for the canteen. The Red Cross saved a lot on snacks that day because everyone loved the doughnuts; but they did give all donors T-shirts and ice cream coupons, so I guess it evens out… Thank you Red Cross workers, for what you do. You were all great!
With 319 units collected so far in 2014 (that’s up to 1,000 lives saved, folks), we’re closing the gap on the 500 unit goal Hoosick has Heart has set for the year. With two community, one school and one business drive left, we’re going to close that gap and keep the momentum going with the next drive at Hoosick Falls Baptist Church, Main Street, on Friday, October 10, from 1 to 6 pm. Mark your calendar, then call and make your appointment at 1-800-RED-CROSS.