More than 30 participants donated blood in the Congregational Church of Hollis’ recent blood drive. The Mission and Action team, an outreach of the church solely dedicated to serving the community, typically holds four blood drives a year for the American Red Cross but this is only the second one since the pandemic began. ‘Holding the drive during the pandemic was challenging but we are so pleased to be able to offer this critical service,’ said Thelma Wigfield, a member of the organizing team. The drive is the first public outreach event the church has undertaken in its newly renovated space. Under the management of Milestone Engineering of Concord, the church recently completed a large-scale renovation that included bringing the nearly 100 year old building up to code, installing an ADA bathroom, transitioning to a commercial kitchen and refreshing spaces like the Hardy Hall function room where the blood drive was held. The Hall is directly adjacent to another one of the church’s premiere new spaces, The Squires Community Patio that honors long-time residents Jim and Jan Squires and recognizes their service to the community. The church will be open to the public as soon as restrictions are lifted. You can find out more at www.HollisChurchRenovation.org.