Submitted by Tony Giamei
(November 8, 2025) — St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Higganum accomplished a significant achievement at its October 16, 2025 Red Cross blood drive. Netting 32 donated units that day, the church surpassed 2,000 units collected all-time.
The church and its Knights of Columbus Council began hosting twice-annual blood drives in 2009 to honor K of C member Bob Kuchyt who died that year. Through time, the church’s Ladies Guild also played a vital role, providing homemade food and gratitude to the donors as they pause after their gift. During the 2020 pandemic, St. Peter’s increased its event to six times a year as blood drive venues became more limited.
“I’d like to express the sincere gratitude of the American Red Cross and the hospital patients we serve to St. Peter’s Church, which has been sponsoring blood drives for more than 15 years,” said Red Cross Account Manager Joanne Krekian. “The church has always been more than willing to host drives and ensure an adequate blood supply for those in need of lifesaving blood transfusions. That is people fighting cancer, surgery patients, accident victims, and those fighting Sickle Cell Disease, to name a few,” she said.
“St. Peter was one of very few places that made blood donation a priority during the Covid 19 pandemic and continued to open its doors for the Red Cross to make sure we were able to fulfill our mission even during that difficult time,” said Krekian. “The church even opens its doors in the summer months to support the local high school in hosting a drive that helps students learn leadership skills and earn scholarship money.”
Church and K of C member Peter Sonski initiated the blood drive and has been the local liaison with the Red Cross for many years. “I’m thrilled with this accomplishment,” Sonski said, “and it’s a point of pride for our community at large. Our townspeople have been extremely generous, and those in the surrounding area as well.”
“When you donate blood, you truly give of yourself to a person unknown but in need,” he continued. “I’m deeply grateful to the donors, volunteers, and all who have supported this blood drive through the years. Two thousand pints is a milestone, but I hope it’s still only a beginning.”
St. Peter’s next blood drive will be held on Thursday, December 18, 2025 from 1:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. To schedule a donation time, call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit RedCrossBlood.org.
