Sea Isle City Police Officers Give "Gift of Life"

By DONALD WITTKOWSKI They don’t call them “blue bloods” for nothing. Officers with the Sea Isle City Police Department rolled up their sleeves Thursday for a lifesaving cause. The police department teamed up with the United Methodist Church and the Red Cross for a blood drive that was expected to collect at least 30 pints of the “gift of life.” “We’re definitely going to get 30 pints and potentially 31,” Sea Isle Police Chief Tom McQuillen said. This was the first time that the police department co-sponsored a blood drive with United Methodist Church and the Red Cross. McQuillen called it an overwhelming success and noted more are to come. “For our first one, it was a great success,” he said. “We are planning on doing more of these. We are super-excited about the turnout. It’s a noble cause.” At last count, at least six police officers and two emergency medical technicians joined with members of the public to donate blood Thursday at the Sea Isle City Community Lodge. Norma Poole of United Methodist Church and Detective Nick Giordano of the Sea Isle City Police Department served as co-organizers of the blood drive. On an alternating basis, United Methodist Church and St. Joseph Catholic Church in Sea Isle hold two blood drives annually. McQuillen wanted the police department to become one of the sponsors of the blood drive to underscore its community involvement. “It’s another part of our community outreach,” he said. “We think this is another part of us giving back and further ingraining ourselves in the community.” Given the chance to donate blood, the police officers were “jumping up and taking part,” he said. “There is always a need for blood. It could be for a friend or a loved one,” McQuillen emphasized. United Methodist Church Pastor Melissa Doyle-Waid said she and others at the church are thrilled to work with the police department for the blood drive. “We just appreciate them so much and we are so thankful for their willingness to partner with us,” Doyle-Waid said. “It is so important that the people in your community have what they need in times of crisis.” She noted that her church, along with St. Joseph Catholic Church, have collaborated on the blood drives for a very important reason. “We work it out so that people donate as often as they can locally,” she said.