MANCHESTER— The 29th annual Gail Singer Memorial Blood Drive, held last week in downtown Manchester, collected 1,481 pints of blood, organizers said Wednesday.

The event was held Aug. 28 and 29 at the Radisson Inn and Convention Center. It included appearances by Gov. John Lynch, Miss New Hampshire Megan Lyman and live remote broadcasts by WZID-Radio and 96.5 The Mill.

Donors totaled 1,691, which exceeded expectations of 1,500.

“This year, 155 people walked through the door for their first donation experience,” said Stephen Singer, whose family community service and charitable contributions team spearheads the drive.

“Throughout all my years organizing this drive, I still can’t get over the tremendous community support. New Hampshire has an amazing way of giving back,” he said.

The Manchester Water Works Department topped the corporate challenge with the largest group of donors.

Also, Timothy Heath of Franklin donated his 20th gallon of blood during the drive.

In 2011, the American Red Cross event in Manchester made national history when 1,959 pints of blood were collected in one day from 2,325 potential donors.