By Jennifer Costa, Red Cross regional communications director

by Dan Dowling, regional communications manager

“You try to help people realize you are there for them. I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve with the Red Cross.”

Paul Miller joined the American Red Cross in October 2024. He is a chaplain for the American Legion Post in Brewer, Maine, and the VA home in Bangor. Since becoming a Red Crosser, he has been deployed to some of the country’s most challenging disasters, including hurricane relief in North Carolina, wildfires in Los Angeles, and flooding in Eastern Kentucky.

By Dan Dowling – regional communications manager

“Someone’s blood and someone’s platelet donation allowed meto get out of the hospital much quicker. I bet I would have been there longerif it wasn’t for those donations.”

By David Ullman, American Red Cross Writer and VisualStoryteller

Every December for more than two decades, hundreds ofresidents of Rutland, Vermont, and the neighboring counties have congregatedtogether for a very special gift giving tradition. In a winter monthcharacterized by cold temperatures and warm sentiments, by friendly gatheringsand family plans, by whimsical pranks and heartwarming intentions, hundreds ofmen and women come together, partnering with the American Red Cross togenerously donate the gift of life. They give blood.

The metaphoric “Father Christmas” figure who initiated thiscrusade is Steve Costello. Over the years Costello has organized the annualGift of Life Marathon Blood Drive, along with organizing other blood drivesacross Vermont.

In 2013, the Gift of Life Marathon Blood drive established arecord for the most units collected in a single day, over 2,000 units. As withall records, it was eventually bested. However, for a time, this town and countyshare the same moniker proudly brandished the reputation for giving the most.To this day, that area of the nation retains recognition, consistentlysurpassing the national average of blood collections.