John Hammer of Post 500 in Speedway, Ind., donates during the blood drive during the 101st National Convention at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis on Saturday, August 24. Photo by Ben Mikesell/The American Legion

Give blood while in Indianapolis for convention

The 101st National Convention Blood Drive will be held on Friday, Aug. 23, and Saturday, Aug. 24, from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Exhibit Hall (Halls D&E, Level 1) of the Indiana Convention Center.

The American Legion supports blood donation as part of both community service and national security, and The American Legion Blood Donor Program has existed officially since 1942 to help that cause. Posts and departments that donate the most blood are honored at national convention each year.

Additionally, the Legion's Holiday Donor Blood Drive is held annually from Thanksgiving through Dec. 31, where Legion Family members and posts are encouraged to give blood and host blood drives. Each year about 45,000 donors gave more than 70,000 pints of blood.