On Monday, Dec. 1, from noon to 6 p.m., community members can start the month of giving by participating in Riverhead Free Library’s blood drive, held in its Grand Room and Lobby, located at 330 Court St. in Riverhead. 

Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome. To make an appointment, go to nybc.org.

On Friday, Dec. 5, from 1 to 7 p.m., community members can also donate blood in the Banquet Room of the Riverhead Fire Department, located at 540 Roanoke Ave. in Riverhead. 

Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome. To make an appointment, go to nybc.org.

On Thursday, Dec. 11, from 1 to 7 p.m., members of the community are encouraged to donate blood in Riverhead Cider House’s Barrel Room, located at 2711 Sound Ave. in Calverton. 

 
Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome. To make an appointment, go to nybc.org.

On Monday, Dec. 29, from noon to 6 p.m., community members can donate blood in übergeek Brewing Co.’s Barrel Room, located at 400 Hallett Ave. in Riverhead. 

Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome. To make an appointment, go to nybc.org.

On Tuesday, Dec. 30, from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., you can round off 2025 with one final good deed by donating blood at Shoreham-Wading River Central School District, in the building’s cafeteria, located at 250B Route 25A, Shoreham. This blood drive is in honor of Ruby and Everett. 

Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome. To make an appointment, go to nybc.org.

Each of the above drives gives donors the opportunity to donate either whole blood or double red blood cells. The New York Blood Center recommends first-time donors to select a whole blood donation appointment. 

In order to be eligible to donate blood, eat and hydrate well beforehand, bring photo ID, feel good and be symptom-free, and meet the minimum weight requirements of 110 lbs. Donors must also be 17 or older, or 16 with parental consent. To see additional eligibility requirements, go to nybc.org.

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On Tuesday, Sept. 23, from 1 to 7 p.m., Riverhead community members are invited to participate in a blood drive held on the second floor of Riverhead Fire Department, 540 Roanoke Ave. Those who donate blood will receive baked goods and a coupon for a free scoop of ice cream from Snowflake Ice Cream Shoppe. 

Appointments are preferred but walk-ins are welcome. To make an appointment, please go to nybc.org. For further questions, contact Jennifer at 516-310-2382.

On Wednesday, Oct. 1, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., a blood drive will be held in Conference Room B and C at Peconic Bay Medical Center, 1 Heroes Way, Riverhead.

Appointments are preferred by walk-ins are welcome. To make an appointment, please go to nybc.org.

On Thursday, Oct. 2, from noon to 6 p.m., the Senator Anthony Palumbo Community Blood Drive will be held in the Grand Room and Lobby of the Riverhead Library at 330 Court St., Riverhead.

Appointments are preferred by walk-ins are welcome. To make an appointment, please go to nybc.org.

To donate, eat and hydrate well, bring photo ID, feel good and be symptom-free, and meet the minimum weight requirements of 110 lbs. Donors must also be 17 or older, or 16 with parental consent. To see additional requirements, visit nybc.org.

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Eric’s efforts serve a dual purpose in the community. First, he seeks to contribute to alleviating the serious shortage of O- and B- types facing the state of New York. Secondly, Eric dreams of pursuing a career in the health field.

He is well on his way, volunteering with Hampton Bays Volunteer Ambulance Corps. In addition to his commitment to the wider Riverhead area, Eric is also the student representative with the Riverhead Board of Education for the 2025-2026 school year.

“People should donate at my scholarship blood drive because one donation can save up to three lives,” Eric informed. “And by giving, you’re also helping support my education and future in healthcare.”

The participating donors in the upcoming blood drive with receive a mums plant sponsored by Gabrielsen’s Country Plant Farm on Herrick’s Lane in Jamesport and owned by the Gabrielsen family.

Visit nybc.org to assess eligibility for making a donating and necessary preparations for giving blood.

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New York Blood Center’s “Pint for a Pint” campaign will get you just that.

For the fourth year in a row, from July 27 to Aug. 31, anyone who donates blood at one of NYBC’s mobile blood drives or donor centers will receive a voucher for a free drink at participating breweries and pubs or a frozen treat at participating shops. 

The Riverhead Ciderhouse in Calverton is one of the charitable businesses championing donors. 

Great South Bay Brewery in Bay Shore will also be giving drinks to donors, as well as Moriches Field Brewing Company in Center Moriches.

“We love doing local charity work and getting our customers involved,” said Rich Flynn, owner of Moriches Field Brewing Company. “‘Pint for a Pint,’ is a good example of helping a charity that’s a little bit more than local — that directly helps people.”

Close to 50 other locations around the state will join in celebrating giving back by serving sips and and scoops. Find the full list here.

Where can you donate? 

Come by one of NYBC’s mobile drives, one of which will be hosted by the Ciderhouse on Aug. 21. To find other dates and locations, visit NYBC’s website.

“We have always done blood drives to support our local community,” said Sinead King, owner of the Riverhead Ciderhouse. “Doing the ‘Pint for a Pint’ campaign has definitely increased the amount of donors we see.”  

Donors can also go to centers across Long Island, including the Port Jefferson Station Donor Center or the Bohemia Donor Center, among others listed here.

The campaign, launched in 2022, has doubled in size since its start. 

One donation earns donors 21 and over a voucher to be redeemed on or before Oct. 31, but vouchers cannot be used on the day of donation. 

With an increase in trauma cases and a decrease in donations during the summer, the need for blood donors is at its peak. The supply of O-negative blood — used in serious situations when patients’ blood type is unknown, and O-positive blood — the most common type, in constant demand for a multitude of medical needs — are at critical levels, 25 percent below the necessary amount to meet current hospital demand. 

“Every pint counts, especially in the summer, and we are so grateful to these local establishments for coming together to support the critical need for blood donations in the summertime,” said Andrea Cefarelli, senior vice president at NYBC. “We hope this fun incentive will inspire returning and first-time donors to donate blood and enjoy a refreshing beverage or frozen treat on us.”

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Welcome to Hope Day

On Saturday, June 7, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Blaze Church (50 Bell Ave., Flanders) is hosting Hope Day — a free one-day event to provide the community with practical help, fun and encouragement. Those who show up can access free groceries, free haircuts, family fun and games and hot meals.

Everyone is welcome to this event. There are no requirements, and everything is free. For more information, visit blazechurch.org.

Adult bereavement talk

East End Hospice’s adult bereavement coordinator, Jean Behrens, will give a talk on “Coping with Death,” an Tuesday, June 10, at 6 p.m. at Unitarian Universalists of Southold, 51900 Main Road, Southold. Her talk will address different grieving styles, what families and friends can do to prepare for a loss, and what techniques and resources are available to those going through the grieving process.

All are welcome at this free event. For more information about East End Hospice’s Zinberg Bereavement Center, call 631-288-1546. For more information about EEH, visit eeh.org.

Riverhead community blood drive

On Wednesday, June 11, from 1 to 7 p.m., the Riverhead Fire Department will host a blood drive on the second floor of 540 Roanoke Ave., Riverhead. Each participating donor will receive a coupon for a free scoop of ice cream on that day from Snowflake Ice Cream in Riverhead.

To donate, eat and hydrate well beforehand, bring a photo ID, feel good and be symptom-free, and meet the minimum weight requirements. Donors must be 17 or older, or 16 with a parental consent form.

To schedule an appointment, call 1-800-933-2566 or visit nybc.org. For any questions regarding the event, call 631-466-0716. For any medical questions, call 1-800-688-0900 or visit nybc.org.

Talent show tryouts

Tryouts for the annual Mattituck Lions Strawberry Festival Talent Show will be held Sunday, June 8, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at North Fork Community Theatre, 12700 Sound Ave., Mattituck. All talents from the towns of Riverhead, Shelter Island and Southold are welcome; group and solo acts are also welcome.

Finalists will perform Wednesday, June 11, from 6 to 8 p.m. on the Strawberry Festival main stage. There are two judging categories: ages 15 and under, and ages 16 and over. First- and second-place cash prizes are $1,000 and $500, respectively. To sign up for tryouts, register here.

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