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Community Corner

Giving the Gift of Blood

Donating blood to the American Red Cross is a great way to give an invaluable present this holiday: the gift of life.

When the going gets tough, the tough get…giving.

In our difficult economic climate, some companies are choosing to turn the typical holiday staff party into an altruistic affair. New York-based accounting firm KPMG recently teamed up with the Build-a-Bear program to deliver teddy bears and books to underprivileged children in Harlem.

Closer to home, the Wilton Library donated the money that would have otherwise gone to a staff grab bag to The Wilton Interfaith Council fuel fund, which helps provide heat to families left out in the cold. Even Patch's own staff members took a day off from their editorial duties recently to volunteer at the Food Bank of Lower Fairfield County.

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So how can your company—or you personally—get involved in the spirit of giving this holiday season?

One organization that can always use help is the American Red Cross. Every two seconds, someone in the United States needs blood and the Red Cross relies on both blood donors and blood services volunteers to collect more than 155,000 units of blood each year.

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Donations at the Fairfield County Donor Center in Norwalk help supply blood to 31 hospitals and transfusing facilities across Connecticut; each pint of blood donated can save up to three lives.

"Wow, saving a life—that is pretty cool!" said Director of Volunteer Resources Theresa Addison.

"Giving blood is an easy way to quickly make a difference to those in need in our Connecticut hospitals," added Lynne Phillips, Account Manager for Biomedical Services. "In many cases you are saving a life, but you are also giving many a better quality of life."

Drives are held every Tuesday and Thursday from 12:30-6:30pm and Saturday from 8:00am-1:15pm at the Donor Center, located at 596 Westport Avenue next to Panera Bread. Drives are also often held in other locations around the community, including local churches, the Wilton Library and Wilton High School. To make an appointment, please call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE.

Corporations can also host private drives for their employees. For example, local company ASML holds regularly scheduled drives. Businesses interested in hosting a drive should visit www.ctredcross.org for more information.

In addition to blood donors, the Red Cross is also looking for volunteers to help staff drives. Volunteers make up 97% of the Red Cross workforce. They help facilitate blood drives by manning the registration and canteen tables, ensuring a smooth donation process from start to finish. Hours are flexible, and volunteers have the opportunity to meet hundreds of community members through work at various local drives.

"Volunteering at the American Red Cross, specifically at blood drives, is a wonderful way to give back," said Phillips. "All the services potentially benefit our family, friends, neighbors and community all very close to home."

To register for a Volunteer Orientation Session, please visit the website or contact Theresa Addison at 203-683-4264.

This holiday season, instead of having a pint with coworkers, consider giving one (or, perhaps, both...just not at once). It's a gift that keeps on giving.

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