Patrick Stepniewski has been coordinating blood drives at Holy Spirit since before there was a Knights of Columbus council. His well-oiled machine was on display Jan. 20, when he was unable to be on hand for our annual winter drive because he was under the weather. Andy Goza gladly pitched in, attending to many of Patrick’s main duties on the morning of the drive: being the official “host” to welcome the Carter BloodCare staff, picking up doughnuts and fruit for the donors and making sure the dining room was set up properly. Also helping to get things rolling was another Brother Knight, Doug Karpan, in his capacity as the parish’s Director of Community Life. There were 17 donors who took time out of their day and blood out of their arms, which we can all be thankful for.
As usual, a cadre of Knights assisted donors in signing in and making sure they were feeling OK before leaving the dining room. Hats off to Andy, Jorge Ruiz, Russell Gully, Art Senato, Doug Skierski, Al Alonzo, Jeff Miller, Ed O’Brien, Allen Reitmeier, Juan Chapa and Leo Mattingly. And, of course, to Patrick. Thanks, Pat, for being the council’s primary contact on these for so many years. This year’s summer drive, the Bea Bates Memorial Blood Drive, is scheduled for Sunday morning, Aug. 18. Get your veins ready.