Hudson Valley: How You Can Become a Lifesaver in Under 2 Hours

Have you been hearing how there are not enough lifeguards this summer? Do you think that I am going to tell you that you can learn how to be a lifeguard in two hours and save someone's life? No. There is something you can do that takes two hours and can be done, every 56 days.

What is this amazing that you can do? It is donate blood. Yes, whole blood donations of any blood type are urgently needed right now. Yes, all types.

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Where can you donate blood in the Hudson Valley, NY? Do you need an appointment?

Kamonchai Mattakulphon

If you donate blood at a New York Blood Center, across the state, during the month of July, you can get a box of Girl Scout Cookies and you will also be entered-to-win tickets to see a future NY Mets game.

The blood donation centers in New York State, where are they?

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The New York Blood Center donation centers, in the Hudson Valley, are located:

East Fishkill Donor Center, 2070 Route 52 Building 200, HOPEWELL JUNCTION, NY 12533, (800) 933-2566
Kingston Donor Center, 51 Albany Avenue, KINGSTON, NY 12401, (800) 933-2566

Donating through the American Red Cross is also possible, currently the best way to find donation locations, or Blood Drives, is to enter your zip code on their blood donation location locator. The American Red Cross is also offering 'gifts' that have Shark Week themes, to include (according to their website) exclusive Shark Week outdoor adventure merchandise package from Discovery. Package includes a beach bike, smokeless portable fire pit, paddle board, kayak and a $500 gift card to put toward accessories.

There are other ways to participate in community activities, for instance you can also participate in this:

'Curtains Up!' 16 Great Community Theatre Groups in New York State

Almost every community, no matter the size, has a talented theatre group where local actors can "stretch and learn" the art of acting. Many have also learned the backstage ins and outs as technical support to these performances. Here are 16 of the hundreds of community theatre groups in the state that you can enjoy a live how at.