Hanrahan: “makes me feel good”
CARMEL – Not everyone was at the stores returning gifts or buying what they wanted for Christmas with that holiday gift card. Dozens flocked to the Carmel Veterans Hall on the day after Christmas to donate blood.
In fact, 79 pints were donated for the New York Blood Bank which is a major boost for the agency, which reports shortages around each major holiday because of higher than usual demand and fewer donations.
One of the organizers, Denis Hanrahan, said it was “rewarding to see the large turnout” on Saturday. He said county residents rose to the occasions.
James O’Neill, the other blood drive organizer, said, “When the chips are down no community helps its neighbors more than the people of Putnam County.”
It was the 22nd consecutive year that John Hanrahan of Carmel donated blood, because it “makes me feel good.”
For Ronald Bolduc of Holmes, “providing blood to someone in need is a wonderful and rewarding experience.” He donated annually as well.
The blood drive was sponsored by the Stephen Driscoll Lodge of the Fraternal Order of Police, Putnam Bureau of Emergency Services, local residents serving with the Fire Department of New York and the Carmel Knights of Columbus.
