Bellbrook firefighters and members of the community came together in record numbers Saturday to support the Community Blood Center at the 2000 Holiday Blood Drive, drawing 56 units of blood.

Lt. Bill Beeman, who has been coordinating blood drives for the department for several years, said 65 people participated in the drive, a great number considering all of the activities occurring on the weekend before Christmas.

"It's just great to see people taking a few minutes from what is a very busy time of year," he said. "This is a record for our drive, and each time we hold a drive the numbers keep growing and growing."

Among the donors was Chief Scott Hall, who reminded people to keep giving over the holidays.

"During the holiday season, people get busy and don't always donate as they do during other times of the year," he said. "Unfortunately, the need for blood and blood products doesn't have a slow season."

While widespread support for the drive didn't change, the location did, after one of the coaches the Community Blood Center uses to collect donations broke down the day before the drive.

"We can't thank Integrated Health Service's Carriage by the Lake enough for allowing us to use their dining room and several other rooms for the drive," Beeman said.

Chief Hall agreed. "We know it's been a rough couple of weeks for our nursing home neighbors in Sugarcreek Township, but their support of our efforts remains unwavered."

Blood donations are still needed to satisfy needs around the holidays. Please call the Community Blood Center at 461-3450 for more information or for dates and times of a blood drive near you.

Release F99-091-1