The students at the Eldred Central School Honor Society will be holding a Blood Drive on Friday, February 5th from 2:15 to 6:15p.m. in the school's Cafeteria located at 600 route 55.

Because I write this column and attend a lot of community events, I for one have come to appreciate the many projects in our community that have gotten the support from the hardworking volunteers from the Eldred School's Honor Society members.

Because of the Covid-19 pandemic, most of our Country's efforts to collect blood donations had to be shut down although the need for blood and platelets is constant.

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) has said that giving blood donations is safe and encourages people who are well to donate blood while practicing social distancing and wearing a mask because of Covid-19.

The Food and Drug Administration that regulates blood collections in the United States has confirmed that anyone wishing to donate, who are among the lucky few to have gotten either the Pfizer or Moderna Covid vaccine there is no waiting period to donate blood or platelets.

If, however someone has gotten a Covid vaccination from any other manufacturer, the wait time before donating is two weeks. Blood donated by people who have recovered from Covid, has antibodies to the virus, and the donated blood is processed leaving behind the plasma containing the antibodies (convalescent plasma) which is then given to patients being treated for Covid to boost their immune system and fight the virus and survive.

Needless to say, Covid survivors are encouraged to donate. All blood donated in our Country is routinely screened for the presence of the Covid antibodies because many people have had the virus in such a mild form, they may not have been aware of it.

The CDC is supporting blood centers by providing safe protocols that are used during blood donations. Is it safe to donate-according to the CDC yes, it is! The American Red Cross has issued an emergency shortage of all blood types of blood products.

Please consider supporting the hard-working students of the Honor Society and go Friday, February 5th and donate blood. Donating blood is extremely easy, painless and your donation will help save someone's life.

For more information visit the Eldred Central School's Facebook page or call the school at 845-456-1100. See you there.

So far, this winter has not been so bad, but we are always looking for any harbingers of the approach of Springtime. Here is one- The pitchers and catchers of the National Baseball League will be reporting to their Spring Training camps starting with the Baltimore Orioles on February 16th and the New York Mets (heads up Lou and Frank Monteleone!) on February 17th.

That means that here in Highland, as has happened for over the last twenty-five years, the Eldered Little League is gearing up for the 2021 season. Registration started on January 7th and will close on February 14th. and any child who is credited for the upcoming season needs to get registered very soon.

Typically, there is a game during the week and one on Saturdays. Tee-ball is $95.00 per child and all other divisions are $115.00 with a $200.00 family maximum. A copy of the participant's birth certificates is required and there will be no exceptions made.

To register go to www.Eldredlittleleague.org. If you have questions or need more information, you can message Johnny Tice on Facebook or email him at Eldredlittleleague@gmail.com.

Let's get ready to Play Ball!