Fifty-eight hardy souls braved the Great Holiday Blizzard of 2010, and showed up at the Melville Marriott on Sunday, Dec. 26 to donate “the Gift of Life” at the annual December Athletes for Life Blood Drive.
Blood Drive Chair Gina Gelman and Long Island Blood Services Representative Joe Ferrara did an excellent job of putting the drive together and maximizing the turnout on a day that most Long Islanders turned into cave dwellers. Thanks to Gina, to Joe, to Long Island Blood Services Executive Director Harvey Schaffler, for making a cameo appearance at the Marriott before heading out to another Drive at the Northport Fire Department, to volunteers Howard Cragg, Mindy Davidson, Joan Hershkowitz, Norman Hershkowitz and Marty Schimmele, and especially to all the donors for making this Drive a success in the face of some pretty nasty conditions.
The Athletes for Life Blood Drive is an outreach donor program, comprised of members of Long Island’s running and bicycle clubs, so that Long island recreational athletes can “give back” to the community. The Athletes for Life Blood Drive is held three times annually – in March, in December and in July; for information about the March Athletes for Life Blood Drive, call the Greater Long Island Running Club Office at (516) 349-7646.
