Crime & Safety

Fire Companies Hosting Blood Drives

They will benefit two firefighters battling illnesses.

One fire company is helping another as the hosts a blood drive to benefit two ill members of the .

According to Steve Woodruff, president of the Bradley Gardens Volunteer Fire Company, both the Finderne and Bradley Gardens departments are holding blood drives in honor of former Finderne chief Bill Ally and captain James Schupper.

"Finderne is having a blood drive at their firehouse to honor the two members," Woodruff said. "Our fire department is having a blood drive the same day to honor them also."

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The blood drives will be held through the American Red Cross.

"One of my goals for the new year is to increase our department's community interaction," Woodruff said. "One of the first things I wanted to start with was a blood drive. The Red Cross had availibility on the same day as Finderne's, so it just seemed fitting to take all blood donations in honor of the two firefighters who are going through a tough time."

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At the Finderne department, the drive will be held Saturday at the building on East Main Street from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Appointments can be made by calling Thomas Marshall at 908-672-2568.

Bradley Gardens will be hosting its drive on the same day from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the department on Old York Road. To make an appointment, contact Woodruff at 908-698-7739.

Woodruff said that all Bridgewater fire companies work together on calls from time to time, in addition to training, so this joint blood drive is just another way to do that.

"As a result, many members from all the departments are acquainted with each other," he said. "Finderne Fire Departnet has set up a comedy night in benefit of one of the firefighters, which we are holding at our firehouse since our hall is a little larger."

And aside from that, Woodruff said he never coordinated a blood drive before, so he didn't realize how difficult it could be.

"I never thought it was this hard to find blood donors," he said. "Now I know where the expression 'getting blood from a stone' came from."


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