From the Pocono Record

Thanks for supporting Red Cross's 25th annual blood drive August 19, 2010

On behalf of the Monroe County Sheriff's Office and the American Red Cross, I would like to express our gratitude to the many donors, volunteers and businesses that assisted our office with our 25th annual Blood Drive, which was again held at St. Luke's Catholic Church in Stroudsburg last week.

We are pleased to say that this year's drive was once again a huge success. The goal set by the American Red Cross for this was to collect 105 pints. A total of 123 pints were collected out of the 133 registered donors. Of these, 16 were true "first time" donors in our region.

Since 1986, our office has sponsored this annual event in an effort to promote community awareness, participation and volunteer services in support of those nonprofit organizations whose mission and goals reflect the presevation of life and humanitarian values.

Much of this success is to be credited to the thoughtfulness of the many volunteers and the generosity of the local businesses and their employees who have faithfully and unselfishly contributed their time and services each and every year.

We'd like to extend our personal gratitude to the American Red Cross of Monroe County, Father Tom McLaughlin of St. Luke's Church, his parishioners and his staff, the Monroe County Commissioners, the county work force and our staff for their continuing support of the past 25 years as a sponsor.

As a blood-borne cancer survivor myself, I am pleased to say that it is this kind of community support that continues to benefit the residents of Monroe County and helps promote the image of professionalism and dedication to the public that we strive for each day in the Sheriff's Office. Keep the faith.

TODD A. MARTIN

Monroe County Sheriff