Community Blood Drive Scheduled for Saturday, May 3
Donors Receive Pancakes and Beer
April 25, 2008
by John Ehrlich
The Annual Spring Community Blood Drive is scheduled next Saturday, May 3rd from 8AM to 1:30PM. “Volunteer donors from New Castle and the surrounding communities are expected to donate as many as 60 pints to help reduce the continuing blood shortage in the Hudson Valley” according to Sandy Cohen of the Greater New York Blood Program office in Elmsford which partners with Chappaqua Rotary to staff the drive.
The blood drive runs concurrently with the Chappaqua Rotary Pancake Breakfast and runs from 8am to 1:30PM at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin next to Bell Middle School. Potential donors are encouraged to sign up in advance by calling 914-602-3410. As in the past, walk-ins will be welcomed as well.
Donors Receive Pancakes & Beer
All who sign-up to donate receive breakfast courtesy of the Chappaqua Rotary including their famous chocolate chip pancakes. “It’s a pleasure to be able to offer complementary admission to the Pancake Breakfast to the donors” said John Buckley, Rotary President. Actually it’s a great idea in more ways than one according to another Rotarian. “Not only is breakfast a good idea before donating, some donors including some women can be prone to low iron which can cause a donor to be rejected or deferred. A pancake breakfast with juice is rich in many nutrients such as Niacin, Thiamine, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6 and B12, Folic Acid in addition to other nutrients and can really help.”
“Give a Pint, Get a Pint”
In addition, all donors who “Give a Pint” will receive a certificate to “Get a Pint” of beer or any alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage of the donors choice provided by Quaker Hill Tavern. The restaurant is located at the intersection of Rt. 120 and 117 in Chappaqua. It’s a win-win, a great example of a local business stimulating good works and building good will.
Baby Sitting Will Be Provided So Parents Can Donate
As with all Rotary blood drives held in conjunction with town events such as the Pancake Breakfast and Community Day, baby sitting will be provided by teenage volunteers so parents can bring their children. The kids have fun while their parents donate and it gives the parents an opportunity to show by example that giving blood is a good thing to do.
Regular donors include New Castle town officials and a State senator
“It’s really amazing how town and area officials step up and join with New Castle residents to donate blood at this event” said one Rotarian. Last year 3 of 5 Town Board Members donated, as did a Town Judge, a Town Attorney, multiple department heads and many other town employees—even a State Senator.
The Blood Drive kicks-off a day full of New Castle events including the Chappaqua Rotary Breakfast, Little League Parade, and the Town Clean-up among others.
John Ehrlich, chairs the Rotary Community Day, Pancake Breakfast and other Blood Drives. To sign-up to donate you can reach him at (914) 602-3410 or email .
Chappaqua Rotary is the local chapter of Rotary International. The club is the preeminent service organization in New Castle and meets weekly on Mondays at 12:15 p.m. at the Crabtree Kittle House in Chappaqua, New York. The club also sponsors and runs events throughout the year including Community Day, the Annual Pancake Breakfast, Community Service Awards, Wine Tasting and two All Town Blood Drives. For more information on the club and its activities, contact John Buckley, President, at (914) 227-4201 or .
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