The Southold Fire Department’s semi-annual Blood Drive Wednesday was a huge success — with a very special guest.
“We set a new record for blood donations, with 107 pints collected,” said Southold Fire Chaplain Joe McCarthy.
In addition, McCarthy said he’d like to give special thanks to his good friend, Suffolk County Legislator John M. Kennedy, Jr., who attended the event at the Southold Fire Department headquarters after just winning the race for Suffolk County Comptroller the night before.
“He was up late, so it was great of him to come out and help us,” McCarthy said. “All Fire Departments have a true ally and friend in John Kennedy.”
Everyone who donated blood received a free, homemade spaghetti dinner with salad, garlic toast and all the fixings.
Event coordinator Mike Zweig also donated blood — and baked delicious pumpkin and apple pies to share with the nurses and committee who prepared the food. “Way to be, Mike,” McCarthy said.
“A huge thank you to all who gave of themselves to make a very real difference in the lives of others in need. What a beautiful thing to do,” McCarthy said.
The blood drive, he added, helped meet an urgent need, with a “critical shortage” presently posing a challenge. The next Southold Fire Department Blood Drive is slated for February.
