The John Buciak / Old St. Pat’s /American Red Cross Blood Drive a Huge Success – Thanks To You!
Photo credit: Daniel Pels
On Sunday, November 15, Old St. Pat’s held its 24th consecutive annual Blood Drive.
We collected 84 pints! While keeping everyone involved safe and well.
We surpassed our goal of 75 units. That is 112% of this year’s target. These units helped over 250 people in need of blood at a critical time in their lives.
We set an all-time record with 36 FIRST TIME DONORS! We were honored and grateful to welcome them to an extremely special club of blood donors.
We collected 84 pints! While keeping everyone involved safe and well.
We surpassed our goal of 75 units. That is 112% of this year’s target. These units helped over 250 people in need of blood at a critical time in their lives.
We set an all-time record with 36 FIRST TIME DONORS! We were honored and grateful to welcome them to an extremely special club of blood donors.
Photo credit: Daniel Pels
The American Red Cross followed the highest standards of safety and infection control including the CDC guidelines requiring all donors and volunteers to wear a face covering or mask. Everyone had a temperature check as they entered the building. All donations were tested for COVID-19 antibodies at no charge to our donors.
We paid special honor to all of our Veterans by sharing God’s gift of life with others most in need.
More than 120 people joined us to donate or volunteer this year. We had donors from across the street to from many communities throughout the city. We had a record number of non-St. Pat’s members come to join us. We showed them thanks through our volunteers – a warm welcome and wonderful hospitality. We had over 20 volunteers who donated their time and smiles.
We paid special honor to all of our Veterans by sharing God’s gift of life with others most in need.
More than 120 people joined us to donate or volunteer this year. We had donors from across the street to from many communities throughout the city. We had a record number of non-St. Pat’s members come to join us. We showed them thanks through our volunteers – a warm welcome and wonderful hospitality. We had over 20 volunteers who donated their time and smiles.
Photo credit: Daniel Pels
We would like to thank everyone involved in our annual Blood Drive, especially our generous donors who are indeed the perfect example of a living Christ in a difficult world.
We also would like to thank our volunteers, Angel, Brynn, Linda, Mary, Mary Anne, Mike, Nicole, Rich, Rick, Shannon, and Tom who helped make the day run so smoothly. Thank you for your wonderful hospitality. They were extremely hard working and gave part of their Sunday to make our donors feel welcome by giving heart filled hospitality.
We also would like to thank our volunteers, Angel, Brynn, Linda, Mary, Mary Anne, Mike, Nicole, Rich, Rick, Shannon, and Tom who helped make the day run so smoothly. Thank you for your wonderful hospitality. They were extremely hard working and gave part of their Sunday to make our donors feel welcome by giving heart filled hospitality.
Photo credit: Daniel Pels
Special thanks to Olivia and her harp that graced us with music from the angels as we donated and volunteered. Olivia’s gift of music made us feel like we were in heaven.
Our appreciation to the FXW School who so kindly let us use their gym for our blood drive so we would be able to offer a very suitable space and November date to our loyal donors.
We take our hats off to Bill Jacobs of PIECE on North Ave for supplying their award-winning pizza so our donors could have a healthy post-donation meal.
Thanks to our friends Deb and Nate at Traders Joe’s Lincoln Park for supplying us with yummy bananas. Just what we needed for our donors and volunteers.
Our appreciation to the FXW School who so kindly let us use their gym for our blood drive so we would be able to offer a very suitable space and November date to our loyal donors.
We take our hats off to Bill Jacobs of PIECE on North Ave for supplying their award-winning pizza so our donors could have a healthy post-donation meal.
Thanks to our friends Deb and Nate at Traders Joe’s Lincoln Park for supplying us with yummy bananas. Just what we needed for our donors and volunteers.
Photo credit: Daniel Pels
These wonderful photos were taken by Daniel Pels. He is a true professional. Thanks for capturing the true spirit of the day with your camera.
In addition, I would like to personally acknowledge with heart-filled thanks the Old St. Pat’s staff who helped support the Blood Drive this year especially Beth, Leanne, and Tom B. Also the hard-working Maintenance Crew headed up by Ray and Louis who were ready to go on an early Sunday morning. We could never have a successful Blood Drive without them!
Please save the date of Sunday, November 14, 2021 for a grand celebration of life as we host our 25th Annual Blood Drive. This is to be the longest continuous blood drive in Chicago! We hope you can join us.
Meanwhile, we encourage you to donate a pint of blood as often as every 56 days.
In addition, I would like to personally acknowledge with heart-filled thanks the Old St. Pat’s staff who helped support the Blood Drive this year especially Beth, Leanne, and Tom B. Also the hard-working Maintenance Crew headed up by Ray and Louis who were ready to go on an early Sunday morning. We could never have a successful Blood Drive without them!
Please save the date of Sunday, November 14, 2021 for a grand celebration of life as we host our 25th Annual Blood Drive. This is to be the longest continuous blood drive in Chicago! We hope you can join us.
Meanwhile, we encourage you to donate a pint of blood as often as every 56 days.
Photo credit: Daniel Pels
Throughout the year, we encourage you to look for a Blood Drive near your home or office by entering your zip code at www.redcrossblood.org. Remember that the Red Cross is the only nationwide Non-profit blood bank.
Please save the date of Wednesday, January 13 for the Great Chicago Blood Drive. There will be five locations in the greater Chicagoland area including Stanley Hall in the Field Museum. Details and appointment scheduling can be found at: www.redcrossblood.org
Many people will have new life because of your willingness to share a pint of blood. This is one of the greatest gifts one can give. My father, John told me that when God gives you a gift, the best thing you can do is share it with others.
This has been a difficult and trying year to say the least for everyone. It was wonderful to see Christ’s love for the stranger in the action of our donators and volunteers. They are truly the light on top of the hillside in the darkness. Thank-you for sharing God’s gift of life with others most in need.
Best wishes for a reflective Advent, a wonderful Christmas Season, and a New Year filled with health and happiness.
May God bless our donors, volunteers, and sponsors. The world is a better place because of you.
Mark Buciak
Volunteer Blood Drive Director
theroadtoboston@rcn.com
773.307.0033
Please save the date of Wednesday, January 13 for the Great Chicago Blood Drive. There will be five locations in the greater Chicagoland area including Stanley Hall in the Field Museum. Details and appointment scheduling can be found at: www.redcrossblood.org
Many people will have new life because of your willingness to share a pint of blood. This is one of the greatest gifts one can give. My father, John told me that when God gives you a gift, the best thing you can do is share it with others.
This has been a difficult and trying year to say the least for everyone. It was wonderful to see Christ’s love for the stranger in the action of our donators and volunteers. They are truly the light on top of the hillside in the darkness. Thank-you for sharing God’s gift of life with others most in need.
Best wishes for a reflective Advent, a wonderful Christmas Season, and a New Year filled with health and happiness.
May God bless our donors, volunteers, and sponsors. The world is a better place because of you.
Mark Buciak
Volunteer Blood Drive Director
theroadtoboston@rcn.com
773.307.0033