Community Corner
Community Rallies Together at Bloodfest II
The annual blood drive was held on Wednesday, featuring an appearance by Angie Carpenter, Republican candidate for Suffolk County Executive.
Bloodfest II, an annual blood drive sponsored by Suffolk County Legislator John Kennedy Jr., was held outside the legislator's office at the North County Complex on Wednesday. From 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., people gave blood in a New York Blood Center bus parked outside as well as inside the office where donation tables were set up.
"Saving lives by donating blood is always its own incentive” said Legislator Kennedy. "Between blood for medical procedures and food for sustenance, this charitable barbecue will provide the necessities of life to our community members in peril.”
Featured at Bloodfest II was a barbecue, music by a band within the legislator's IT department, as well as tables set up for Long Island Cares and the Stony Brook University Seawolves. A pair of New York Mets tickets were given everyone who donated blood.
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During the band's performance, Angie Carpenter, Republican candidate for Suffolk County Executive, stopped by and sang along for two songs. "I'm here to show my support for the community and those who give blood," said Carpenter. "They are heroes."
The band, who the legislator's office has named "The It Band," started with IT Department members practicing together during their lunch break.
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"They all played instruments, started practicing together, and they sound great" said Leslie Kennedy, Legislative Aide. "They asked us if we wanted music for the drive, and we love having them here. They bring a dynamic of entertainment that is wonderful, playing music from the '60s up to today."
Last year, 98 pints of blood was collected, and 115 people were screeened. Each year they have a theme for the drive. Previous installments have been named Blood in the Streets, Let it Bleed and True Blood. Donations were also made to the drive by ShopRite, King Kullen, Costco, John J. Foley Nursing Home, the Department of Public Welfare (DPW) and the Hauppauge Fire Department. EPIC (Elderly Pharmaceutical Insurance Coverage) and the Department of Labor were also active in putting on Bloodfest II.
Bloodfest II is a series of drives, the remaining dates are:
Sept. 4 – Ronkonkoma Festival
Sept. 11 – Nesconset Day
Sept. 18 – Smithtown Historical Society Fair
Sept. 24 – Brookhaven Town Park
For more information, visit http://legis.suffolkcountyny.gov/do/do12/do12.html
