Support Our Veterans

I hemmed and hawed long enough.

I finally went through all the items; clothes, bedding, towels, etc., that I've been setting aside this past year for donation, bagged it all up and scheduled a pickup this past Wednesday.

I support the Vietnam Veterans of America organization and have been donating to them for many, many years now -

They came just before lunch and took all the bagged items. Oddly, for some reason, they did not take the Bundt cake dish in the box and left that behind.

It's nice to have these items picked up and out of the way.

Hope they all go to good use!

Another Milestone!

I don't like to brag but I've made the 6-gallon club at the American Red Cross!!

49 donations to date and climbing!

Ordered my pin, it's on the way.

Vietnam Veterans of America

Great organization the VVA!

We've been donating to them for many, many years now. Super easy to schedule a pick up online.  As you can see they come right to your door to pick up!

Covid isolation allowed the Franklin Frye household to do some "spring" cleaning.  Tough decisions, in some cases were made, on what stayed and what was time to be let go of.  In the end we amassed (14) full trash bags full of clothing, linen and shoes, all going to a good cause and to be put to good use!

Merica!

"No Life Left Behind"

 Another American Red Cross blood donation in the books.

A Power Red donation too!

Up to 45 units, which apparently puts me in the 5-Gallon club and 135 Lives impacted by my donations over the years! 

RedCrossBlood.org

I made an appointment and attempted to donate platelets last Saturday.  Drove all the way from Franklin to the American Red Cross center in Dedham specifically to donate platelets.

Unfortunately, during the check-in process my iron count check came up high at 17.5 (20 being the max).  Although, I could have still donated, if I insisted, I was told that being that high the already 2+ hour process of platelet donation could go as high as 3+ hours as a result.  I was instead encouraged  to donate whole blood, so I did 1-pint. I'm now in the 5-Gallon Donor club!

The good news is I don't need to wait to donate platelets with my above 1-pint donation, so I'll be looking to schedule and try this once again.

Local Police Patch Collection

Autism Awareness patches and Breast Cancer Awareness patches (Pink Patch Project)

I support our local police departments public awareness campaigns to bring attention to these organizations.

Donations well spent.

I'm On My Way...

I received my American Red Cross 5-gallon pin.

Here's to many more...

Trying Something New

I tried something new this past Saturday.  Instead of donating blood, I donated platelets!

Platelet donation takes about 3-hours, so much longer than donating blood.  Also, with a platelet donation they insert 2 needles, one in each arm.  The problem or challenge, depending on your view, is that you're not supposed to move your arms once the needles have been inserted.  So, that crazy, mad itch that all of a sudden appears on your forehead, well that goes unscratched...

Full disclosure - I got a pretty good public reprimanded for taking the above selfie!  Apparently, some silly possibility of driving the needle out the other side of my vein when bending my arm.  Who knew.

Another Pint Lower

I came across this blood drive posting on Facebook Friday afternoon and registered -

After shoveling I headed to the Franklin PD -

To donate a pint of blood -

The Tastiest Event of the Year!

We'll be attending Franklin's Taste Of The Region this Tuesday evening.  Hosted by the United Regional Chamber of Commerce and held at the Tri-County Regional Vocational High School, which is only a couple miles from us.

Local area restaurants and chefs offer delicious samples of their dishes.  It's a great way to see and taste a variety of foods in a casual atmosphere.

We've been going for years and always leave stuffed!

It's a good take, c'mon down!

August Blood Donation

Another double-red blood donation this past Saturday.

The blood drive was almost cancelled due to the heat. The AC at the donation center wasn't working.  They were able to eventually get everything taken care, so after an hour delay the blood was flowing.

The Can Man

Local family in the neighboring town of Bellingham collects bottles and cans to support various charities throughout the year.  Today, they're collecting for the Jimmy Fund.  I drive past this house on my way home from the office, so an in the know of when their in need and dropped off our donations.  Every little bit helps!

Another Double Red Donation

Another Double Red Cells donation under my belt.

Performed at the Franklin Elks the other afternoon.

In and out in just under an hour, not too bad at all.

Plus left with snacks...

The BIG THREE O

Pints that is!

I've hit the 30 pint donation mark with my double-red donation yesterday morning!

I'm in the "Gallon" donor club now.

#RestockTheShelves

Gallon Donor Club!

I made another American Red Cross donation yesterday!

Looks like I'm in the "Gallon Donor" club.

I prefer to do double-red donations, This blood drive, which was held at my office, didn't have the equipment for this option so I went old school.  The good news is I was done and disconnected in ~20 minutes.  The bad news is I was only able to donate one pint instead of two.

Outside of springing a leak, as I returned to me desk and soaking my dress shirt sleeve, this donation was uneventful.

Gillette Blood Drive 2014

Double-red blood donation this morning at Gillette Stadium!

It's a great take for sure if for nothing else then to get an inside glimpse of a near empty Gillette Stadium.  There's always Patriot alum and Patriot cheerleader in attendance signing autograph and posing for pictures.

They hold raffles each hour; gift certificates, autographed Patriot memorabilia, game tickets, etc. JoAnne again, just like last year, was a raffle winner!

A good take for a good cause!