DONATE BLOOD – AND SAVE A LIFE
SEEKING INFORMATION ABOUT ED LAFUENTE
A CREATIVE ARTS FESTIVAL FOR VETERANS

DONATE BLOOD – AND SAVE A LIFE

To the Editor:

I am writing to urge all members of Local 802 who are able to donate blood to do so – as soon as possible. The need is truly great. The New York region has been in an emergency situation for months now, because of a blood shortage. One reason is that only about 2 percent of New Yorkers who are eligible to donate do so, compared to about 5 percent in the rest of the country.

I have been an avid blood donor since I first became eligible, at 17 years old. By now I’ve donated gallons and gallons of blood – in fact, I hold the New York blood program’s gallon club card. I do it because it saves lives; that’s the bottom line. With all the advances that science has made, they still can’t manufacture blood. Human beings have to donate it.

Our members live all over the region, and the New York Blood Center has a network of clinics we can use – in Manhattan, Brooklyn and Staten Island, as well as the Hudson Valley, Long Island and in northern and central New Jersey. To locate the most convenient clinic, call them at 1-800-933-BLOOD.

When you give blood you’re actually saving a life, and it’s a wonderful feeling.

–Steve Morrell

Back to top

SEEKING INFORMATION ABOUT ED LAFUENTE

To the editor:

I am trying to locate an old friend, Ed Lafuente, a former member of Local 802. He worked at Grossinger’s for many years . . . a great percussionist. If anyone might know something about him, I would appreciate any possible information. You can contact me at 2649 W. Rustic Roads Drive, South Jordan, UT 84095. Thanks!

–Gaylen Hatton

Back to top

A CREATIVE ARTS FESTIVAL FOR VETERANS

To the Editor:

Question: What do the performing and creative arts have to do with the military? Answer: read this letter and decide for yourself. I am a member of the National Guard and a veteran, having played with military bands throughout my career.

About a year and a half ago I was visiting the local veterans’ hospital for a checkup. I happened to see an announcement of a creative arts competition. I decided to enter and after going through several stages, including a local judging, I finally won a first prize and gold medal, plus an invitation to spend a week in our nation’s Capitol putting on a show. The experience of meeting veterans from around the country and working together to share our talents was very memorable.

I eagerly awaited this year’s competition and again entered. I’m happy to say that again I was chosen as a first-place winner. This year’s festival will take place in Arizona.

I wrote a brief report on last year’s competition for the December Allegro and had hoped to receive some phone calls from other veterans in the area interested in taking part. But no one contacted me, so I’m putting out the appeal again. If you are a veteran of the military and have any sort of creative talents – music, art, dance, drama/writing, etc. – please feel free to contact me to find out more. It’s a great way to display your talents for a responsive audience, and who knows? You may find yourself at the next annual Veterans’ Creative Arts Festival.

–David George

Back to top