Castellucci started sponsoring blood drives during his father's final days battling cancer, and for the last eleven years, the drives have been dedicated to the memory of his father  who died on Christmas Day 1997.  

 "This has become the tradition that I use to honor my dad's memory," said Don Castellucci, Jr. "I have helped raise awareness of the importance of donating blood over the last eleven years. I have done that by sponsoring blood drives in my father's memory, recruiting more than 330 donations since his death on December 25, 1997."

 Each year a different combination of donors, young and old, help continue to make this drive a success. This year, Castellucci hopes to get 50 donors. They have been close a couple of years, and this will mark the most donations for this drive to date. 

 As in the past, there will be a rigatoni and meatball dinner served to all donors. After having a bite to eat donors can enjoy the shops in downtown Owego and finish up their Christmas shopping.

 Donors are encouraged to bring  food donations that will be collected for the Tioga County Rural Ministry (TCRM), or cash donations to TCRM in Don Castellucci, Sr.'s name. The donations and food collected last year were much appreciated.

 Now is the time to give that early Christmas present to a stranger you will never meet - the gift of donating  blood, the gift of life! Give it a try and see how great it feels to save a life.

 To make an appointment to donate blood at the blood drive, contact Don Castellucii, Jr. at 687-0965, or call 1-800-GIVE-LIFE. 

 "Thank you for taking the time to consider this opportunity," Castellucci said. "It 
means a lot to me that you have been there in the past. Thanks again and I look forward to seeing you on the 22nd."