By Staff
Event is planned for Tuesday afternoon
By KEVIN SCOTT CUTLER
Staff Writer
First Baptist Church in Washington and the American Red Cross will hold a blood drive Tuesday in honor of Iraqi war heroes.
Enough isn’t being done to remember the brave men and women serving in the U.S. military, according to Curly Smith, a member of the church and a blood services volunteer with the Beaufort County chapter of the Red Cross.
Smith said he has formed special friendships with two local families who know all too well the costs of war. One had a son severely injured and another lost a son.
Smith also headed up a blood drive at First Baptist Church last year in memory of Jones and in honor of Goodman.
This year, Smith decided to hold the drive in honor of all military personnel, regardless of their hometown.
Kay Johnson, executive director of the Beaufort County chapter of the American Red Cross, knows first hand what a military family endures.
Johnson also praised the local Red Cross volunteers, like Smith.
Smith recalled another longtime volunteer who worked tirelessly for the cause.
Not only does Smith work on behalf of the First Baptist Church blood drive, he also makes himself available to speak with other area groups interested in establishing drives.
Tuesday’s drive will feature two “Double Red Machines,” which take two units of blood from a donor, separate the red cells and then return one unit to the donor.
Smith hopes Tuesday’s blood drive meets or exceeds last year’s total.
*The blood drive at First Baptist Church, located at 113 N. Harvey Street in Washington, will run from noon to 6 p.m. this Tuesday. For more information about the American Red Cross call 1-800-GIVE LIFE or visit www.weneedblood.org.