Greetings, fellow Oak Lawnians!
Johnson-Phelps VFW Post 5220, 9514 S. 52nd Ave., Oak Lawn, will hold its annual blood drive from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 28.
The post has a long history with LifeSource.
“We’ve been having these once a year for at least 25 years, probably longer,” post Cmdr. Dan Johnson said. “It’s always the last Saturday in March. We reached out and LifeSource was there. They stepped up.”
Johnson said in past years, the post “usually had between 18 to 25 donors turn out, but last year, we partnered with the chamber of commerce and the village of Oak Lawn and we were able to get 48 donors. LifeSource told us with those 48 donors, we saved 141 lives.”
The post once again will partner with the chamber of commerce and the village, along with the Student Veteran Alliance at Saint Xavier University.
“Most of the blood donors are local,” Johnson said. “It’s a mix of both men and women. We also get some support from other VFW posts, especially if they’re smaller and can’t hold their own blood drive. LifeSource gives us a head count of donors.”
A full breakfast, courtesy of the post’s ladies auxiliary, will be served to all donors.
“Our ladies auxiliary decided that if someone’s going to give blood, they should get a good breakfast,” Johnson said. “They’ll get a full breakfast of scrambled eggs, bacon and sausage and hash browns.”
Johnson said six to 10 women from the auxiliary usually arrive as early as 7 a.m. to get breakfast started.
For efficiency, donors are asked to schedule an appointment with LifeSource in advance of the March 28 date.
“The more sign-ups we have, the more nurses that will be there, so signing up’s the key,” Johnson said.
He said appointments make it easier to stagger donors and serve them breakfast. Walk-ins will be accepted; however, Johnson said, they may have a very long wait.
Johnson has a message about the blood drive.
“Let’s all pull together as a community and help our fellow citizens out with donating blood,” he said.
To donate blood, call LifeSource at (877) 543-3768 or visit lifesource.org and use the group code “VFWSOR30.”
Donors also will need to provide a government-issued picture ID (driver’s license, military ID, employee badge, etc.) to donate blood.
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Birthdays, anniversaries
Here are this week’s celebrity announcements:
Happy birthday to Jared Shipman, who’s turning 15, from his grandma Cindi and “Poppy.” Aidan Raftery’s family wish him a happy 17th birthday. Birthday wishes go out to Frank Murray, who’s turning 18, from his parents, Peg and Frank, sister, and Bailey. Happy 18th birthday wishes also go out to Nikolas Siple.
Happy 18th birthday to Danielle Vanderwarren; her sister, Nicolette, who’s turning 20; and to their dad, Ron. Happy birthday to Moleigh Clare Carson, who’s turning 19, from her parents Kelly and Jeff, and her sister Tara. Happy 23rd birthday to Erica Sinnot, from her parents Ellen and John.
Happy 25th birthday to Rosemary Maslanka, from her parents, her brother Nicholas and her sister Michelle. Happy 25th birthday to Samantha Stark and to her aunt, Diane McLaren, from their family. Happy birthday to Alyssa O’Connor, who’s turning 27, from her dad Dennis, sister Holly, and family. Happy birthday to Adam Lewis Clardy, who’s turning 35, from his parents, and Jon, Aga, Valerie and Mark. Happy birthday to Father Joji Thanagundla, who’s turning 47, from his family and friends.
Happy birthday to Sharon Mungia, from her son Anthony and her parents. Linda Garvin’s family wish her a happy birthday. Birthday wishes go out to Brandon and Cameron Biel and to their grandmother, Lorraine McGuire, from their family. Happy birthday to Lou D’Amore from the “Golf Kings.” Dave Kobak’s family wish him a happy birthday. St. Patrick’s Day birthday wishes go out to Brian Feerick, from Carrie and Tulley.
Wedding anniversary wishes go out to Victor and Virginia Soltysiak on their 20th anniversary.
Congratulations go out to Allison and Kyle Palhegyi, who are expecting their first child. The Arnold and Palhegyi families send Allison and Kyle their love.
Keep your fellow Oak Lawnians informed about birthdays, special events or special “stuff” going on with your family or within the community. Call me at (708) 899-9544.
Until next time …
Cheryl Petzel is a freelance columnist.