Scenic Driving for
the Red Cross
Heading toward retirement in 2015, I
thought about what to do next. Added a few more frivolous activities, including
creating this blog and taking up golf after 30-some years away from the game.
More usefully, attended a Volunteer Fair where the Red Cross seemed a natural
fit; Marjorie used to work for them and I’ve been a long-time blood donor. So
I’ve become a “Blood Services Transportation Specialist.” That fancy title
means I drive their vans to deliver boxes containing blood products to regional
hospitals.
In addition to filling in as needed, I’ve settled into a Tuesday
morning slot that rotates among 3 routes: South (usually including Kingston,
Rhinebeck, and Poughkeepsie, plus sometimes Hudson and Ellenville), 
Far South
(to Carmel), and West (Amsterdam, Gloversville, and Cobleskill). Southern
routes entail as many as 7 hospitals, 3 for the West, plus some trips to local
hospitals in Albany, Schenectady, and Troy, and north to Saratoga and Glens
Falls. Pictured are Northern Duchess in Rhinebeck and Vassar in Poughkeepsie
(with fellow volunteer Matt on my “training” drive).
In 2018-19 my Tuesday schedule meant I drove both Christmas and New Year's mornings.
I continued my driving during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, past signs for health care "heroes."
In 2018-19 my Tuesday schedule meant I drove both Christmas and New Year's mornings. 
I continued my driving during the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic, past signs for health care "heroes."