Blood drive wraps up busy year

New schedule begins in January at Graafschap Fire Dept.

Stacey Hill of Holland waits to donate blood as Terry Kubiak, phlebotomy technician, prepares the equipment as part of the American Red Cross blood drive on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, at Graafschap Fire Department, 4534 60th St.

Blood drives for 2024 wrapped up at Graafschap Fire Department, 4534 60th St., on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024.

The new year will bring a new schedule for American Red Cross collections, changing from quarterly drives to every other month. The scheduled dates so far are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursdays Jan. 30, March 27, May 29 and July 31.

Heidi Cook of Holland donates at the American Red Cross blood drive on Thursday, Nov. 21, 2024, at Graafschap Fire Department, 4534 60th St.

For more on donating blood, click here.

These programs are a part of the Community Risk Reduction initiative the department started in 2022.

The department has free weekly blood pressure checks at the facility from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesdays.

Reflective address signs are made in-house by Graafschap Fire Department retirees. The signs are usually ready for pick up at the fire station after two business days of receiving the order – and the $20 cost is paid at the time of pick-up.

The signs can also be ordered here.

The program also continues a smoke and carbon monoxide installation program. Free alarms installed by firefighters are available to residents. These 10-year lithium battery alarms are provided by a state grant.

For more information, call the fire department at (616) 396-4060 or visit here.