Between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day, there is a marked drop in blood drives and blood donations as energies are focused on family and friends. During that time there is also an increase in the need for blood due to stress-related emergencies and holiday-related activities like driving and accidents in the home. By the end of the holidays, all reserve supplies of blood products are near exhaustion as January approaches, and this could be catastrophic if there were to be a large-scale emergency or major storm. The Emanuel Lutheran Church in Pleasantville hopes to help by sponsoring a Blood Drive on Saturday, January 16, 2015 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the church on 197 Manville Road, Pleasantville. Both whole blood and red cells units will be collected from qualifying candidates. Although this drive makes it convenient for Pleasantville residents to participate, blood donors from all towns are welcome to come to lend their help.

To schedule an appointment, call (800) 933-2566 or do it directly on-line at https://drm.nybloodcenter.org/PublicScheduler/Default.aspx. For information regarding your eligibility (medical, travel, etc), call (800) 688-0900. Although it is helpful to let the organizers know in advance that you plan to come, walk-ins are always accepted.