So it's eight years since my Dear Old Da passed away. He was a great man who touched a lot of people and he was my personal hero.
I remember the day I told the family I was not going for an advanced degree but that Mark and I were going to open a restaurant. After an extended period of silence and a few days of explaining, my father came around to being Stage Left's biggest fan and strongest supporter.
He fought it bravely and well for almost two years, but the Leukemia got him in the end. During that time, due to the generosity of others, there was an ample blood supply that he often accessed. My sisters and I figured the best way to honor his memory would be to run an annual blood drive in his honor. Blood supplies run quite short around the holiday time, so it's always the Sunday before Thanksgiving.
The drive is held from 9 AM to 2 PM at The Friendly Sons of The Shillelagh Social Club in West Orange. I cook a free Irish Breakfast for every donor and it's become the largest Blood Drive in North Jersey. Now don't expect the Taj Mahal or Ashford Castle, but we will be playing Irish music on the Jukebox downstairs while you wait, and the bar opens at noon. Be careful not to drink too much when you're a pint down. It's been said that it's possible to eat well in Ireland, so long as you're willing to have breakfast morning, noon and night. Come let me make you and Irish Breakfast at our little club on Sunday, November 23.
If you would like to make an appointment to donate, email [email protected].