Since August 2020, the Knights of Columbus Council #297 in St. Albans in conjunction with roundtables from East Fairfield and Fairfield have undertaken an effort of hosting, promoting, and participating in American Red Cross Blood Drives.

The initial purpose of this effort was to provide help during Covid-19. The first such blood drive took place in August 2020 at St. Mary Parish Hall in St. Albans.

By Nov. 30, 2023, the Knights of Columbus’ effort had generated donations of more than 2,000 units of blood (more than 250 gallons). The blood drive on this date was the council’s 67th blood drive; it also served as a food drive.

Blood donors and community members brought nonperishables that were distributed to Northwest Family Foods to help people in need.

This year marks the 125th anniversary of Council #297, and the council thanked the blood donors with a commemorative cake.

“We are very happy to continue to be of service to help our community and people in need of blood,” said Grand Knight Valdemar Garibay, the blood program leader. “We are glad to be able to support the ‘gift of life’ in hosting, promoting, and assisting at these blood drives. We plan on continuing to host more blood drives in the St. Albans area in the future.”