Editor, The Smithfield Times:

The holidays are upon us, and 2020 is coming to a close. I know this has been an amazingly challenging year for many, be it illness, isolation, concern for family members, business losses, job disruptions and what seems like never-ending stress. With everything that happened in 2020 as a backdrop, Smithfield needs to stand proud of our accomplishments supporting the health and well-being of so many people.

Thursday, Nov. 19, was yet one more successful drive in Smithfield with 86 units of lifesaving blood collected, benefiting over 250 patients. Thank you to all of our donors who came out, and to the Smithfield Rotary Club for volunteering for check in and donor support via the canteen.

I wanted to thank each and every incredible volunteer and donor who has helped to continue Smithfield’s amazing community blood drive efforts during rapidly changing conditions!

Throughout the year, Trinity United Methodist Church allows us the use of the hall as was the case this past month. We greatly appreciated Smithfield Baptist stepping in last spring when rapidly changing COVID restrictions left us in need of a spot for a critical drive. The Women’s Club of Smithfield, Smithfield Baptist, Good Shepherd, Benn’s UMC, Trinity UMC and Rotary all sent teams to help us make it happen this year, at a time when schools, parishes and companies were canceling drives due to closures. Together, you helped over 1,300 patients. You made a huge difference, one temp check, card scan, reassuring word and Oreo at a time.

To Skip Sharpley, huge thanks for those tables coming and going like clockwork. Thank you to Danny and Rita Belott and their team from the Masons, who are the true unsung heroes, setting up and breaking down the drives.

We wish you a happy and absolutely healthy holiday season! We’ll see you Jan. 14 at Trinity.

 

Leigh Abbott-Leaman

Smithfield Community Blood Drive coordinator

Smithfield