The $189 million, 16,600-member Dutch Point Credit Union in Wethersfield, Conn., hosted a blood drive on Nov. 1 at its Newington branch. The American Red Cross said that at that point, already some 300 blood drives had been canceled in areas affected by Hurricane Sandy and put out a call for help.

Dutch Point CU responded, and one of its donors that day was Melanie da Costa, a college student in Manhattan who went home to Newington when her high rise was evacuated. "Having seen first-hand the destruction caused by Hurricane Sandy, I wanted to do my part to support the victims and came to Dutch Point Credit Union to assist the American Red Cross with their relief efforts by donating blood," she said.

The blood drive collected 46 pints and Dutch Point also donated two cans of non-perishable food items to the Newington Food Bank for each pint collected. The credit union said it was its first blood drive and said it thanks the Red Cross and the donors and that it plans to continue its efforts to support the organization.

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