Blood-drive 'handyman' enjoys work
WHO: Homer J. Jeffrey, 82, Watertown, has volunteered with the American Red Cross of Northern New York for the past decade. He typically volunteers 25 to 30 hours each week for the 203 N. Hamilton St., Watertown, agency.
TELL ME ABOUT WHAT YOU DO FOR THE RED CROSS: "I do the packs — they're what your blood goes in. I put the number on the bags. I'm there five hours doing it sometimes, and sometimes six. I do the prep work for the blood drives. I do, in a month's time, five blood drives. I do all of it, and if the women don't come in for the registration, I do that. I'm a handyman."
HOW DID YOU GET STARTED VOLUNTEERING FOR THE AGENCY? "Eleven years ago, my wife passed away, so I had to do something. I started off signing in people. You also have to watch them so they don't pass out (after they give blood). I've also been giving blood since the early 1950s. I'd done it when I was in the service. Right now, at the present time, I've donated 25 gallons. I've given a lot of blood."
WHEN DO YOU GIVE BLOOD? "Every 56 days. I'm O-negative."
WHAT ELSE DO YOU DO FOR THE RED CROSS? "I'm in charge of all of the volunteers for the Red Cross. I tell them when we have a blood drive. One lady does all the signing-in for me. I try to get more volunteers all of the time, but don't have much luck. They say they'll come, but never do."
He said that at least three volunteers are needed for each blood drive, but extra people won't hurt.
CAN YOU TELL ME A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOUR TIME IN THE SERVICE? "In World War Two, I was in the invasion of Okinawa. I was in the Navy from 1944 to 1946 in the amphibious force. I took the troops in. I rolled the boat in and dropped the Marines off.
"Every time they needed blood, the hospital ship would call in, and we donated it. It was whenever they called."
WHY DO YOU GIVE BLOOD? "After I give a pint of blood, I feel good. It peps me right up. I like to do it."
WHAT DO YOU SAY TO PEOPLE WHO ARE ABOUT TO GIVE BLOOD FOR THE FIRST TIME? "I explain to them that when you give blood, you're saving someone's life. When they're on the table, I'll talk to them and sometimes, I'll hold their hand. We need the blood."
DO YOU DO ANY OTHER VOLUNTEER WORK? "I'm a trustee at the American Legion, Post 61. My job is to get bids on different things with the building. They keep me busy. I do a lot of the work myself."
WHEN DO YOU THINK YOU'LL STOP VOLUNTEERING FOR THE RED CROSS? "When I just can't do it again."
Mr. Jeffrey said that he's already found one person to take over his volunteer duties and that the person has already learned how to do all of the jobs that Mr. Jeffrey does.
DO YOU HAVE ANY HOBBIES? "I have a 1953 Chevy pickup that I restored — that's my baby. I tinker with it. Plus, I do my own work on my house, even though my kids holler at me to get off the roof."
If you have an idea for a "Helping Hands" Times Q&A, contact Times staff writer Rebecca Madden via e-mail at rmadden@wdt.net or via telephone at 661-2375.
