WESTPORT–The monthly Red Cross blood drives at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 399 in Westport will reach a milestone on Friday, June 26, 2026 – their sixth anniversary.

The blood drives began in June 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the post’s Quartermaster Phil Delgado read about a blood shortage.

“We’re veterans and we just thought there was a need to help the community,” he said. The pandemic eventually waned, but the drives kept going.

“Now we’re kind of in the groove and we just do it,” he said.

Dozens of donors have already signed up to give blood on this Friday – 44 donors had made appointments by Tuesday. Delgado hopes to reach 70 donors.

The blood drive will take place 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the post, 465 Riverside Ave., Westport.

Organizers encourage donors to schedule appointments in advance at www.redcrossblood.org (sponsor code: VFWWESTPORT) or 1 (800) 733-2767

Over the years, they have drawn blood from more than 3,200 people, Delgado said. Using the rule of thumb that each pint can save up to three lives, Delgado said, “That’s 9,000 people that we’ve been able to help.”