By Tyler Maheu
EAGLE TIMES STAFF
CLAREMONT — Following the success of last month’s blood drive, a Benefit Supper for the Jaiydn Harlow Family is set to be held on Friday, September 30, 2022.
The event is the result of a collaboration between three large societies in town, Claremont’s American Legion Post 29, VFW Post 808, and the Sullivan Lodge 12 Independent Order of Oddfellows. According to family friend Michael Huse, this is, “the first year these three organizations have pulled together for something as significant as this.
The spaghetti dinner will be held at the American Legion Post 29 at 199 Broad Street in Claremont from 5 to 8 PM. The spaghetti and meatball, plus desserts, dinner will be all you can eat for only eight dollars. Reportedly, for those that cannot attend in person, takeout will also be available. According to Huse, the goal is to have approximately 475 seats. Also at the dinner will be over 30 door prizes, with an assortment of rewards coming from area merchants. “I think that is where the support really comes from, when you can get the merchants involved,” said Huse. He also stated that a woman from Massachusetts is anticipated to bring baked goods for the occasion, and that the night will feature “some surprises.”
The aforementioned blood drive, which took place on August 22nd, brought in 99 pints of blood, just one shy of their 100 pints goal. The 99 were broken down into what Huse called, “85 pints, and 14 power reds.” According to the American Red Cross’ website, power reds are, “similar to a whole blood donation, except a special machine is used to allow you to safely donate two units of red blood cells during one donation while returning your plasma and platelets to you.”
While the event fell shy of its goal, Huse stated, “I was very impressed by Claremont.” He went on to say that 16 prospective donors were lost at the door due to the event’s blood technicians falling behind, many of whom also stayed two and a half hours beyond the event’s intended end date because they were inspired to help the good cause. “We pulled in some serious numbers for this area,” he said.
For more information regarding the Benefit Supper, please contact the American Legion at 603-542-9222.
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