Give Blood, Win Boston Celtics Tickets, In Swampscott

SWAMPSCOTT, MA — Swampscott residents giving the gift of blood with a friend — or purchasing a raffle ticket — may walk away from the VFW Post 1240 Auxiliary blood drive on Dec. 9 with a pair of tickets to see the NBA-leading Boston Celtics play at TD Garden.

The VFW will be hosting the blood drive for the Red Cross at the Italian Club on Burpee Road on Dec. 9 from 1 to 6 p.m.

Each donor who also brings a friend will be automatically entered into a drawing for a pair of Celtics tickets. Raffle tickets can also be purchased for the drawing for $10 with money raised to go toward veterans' services.

While there, those attending will have the chance to sign holiday cards that will be sent to veterans at the Soldiers Home and Habitat Plus.

Those interested in donating can check for eligibility here.

(Scott Souza is a Patch field editor covering Beverly, Danvers, Marblehead, Peabody, Salem and Swampscott. He can be reached at Scott.Souza@Patch.com. Twitter: @Scott_Souza.)