On Dec. 17 from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., the American Red Cross will host the Second Annual Postal Service Blood Drive. Donors will receive free gift-wrapping (doesn’t have to be a package to be mailed), free packaging of Priority and Express packages to be mailed and refreshments. The Postal Service will also have free demonstrations in Click-N-Ship and drawings throughout the day for free stamps and other items. Military Missions in Action will be accepting gifts to be given to local veterans for Christmas and the Postal Service will be accepting gifts to be given to a local family that the Angier Postal Employees have selected to help for Christmas.

The American Red Cross will be giving long sleeve T-shirts to each blood donor as a promotion. December is a slower month of donations due to cold/flu season and the Holidays, with many people busy shopping and spending time with family. Twenty-five percent of the blood donations nationwide come from high school and college students. Both high schools and colleges are closed for part of the month, affecting the amount of donations. The Red Cross relies on communities to have blood drives to help keep an adequate supply through the holidays. Each person must weight eight weeks after giving blood to donate again. The goal for a successful Blood Drive is 30 pints of blood. Last year, the goal for the event was 35 pints; however, 40 pints were donated. Angier citizens showed such a great turnout that the Red Cross has reserved two bloodmobiles for a goal of 70 pints this year. Please GIVE LIFE this Christmas; your pint of blood could save a life.

To schedule your appointment for blood donation, call Rhonda at 919-369-2615.