SULFUR, Okla. (KXII) – Partners at BancFirst, Vision Bank and First National Bank of Sulfur are teaming up to raise the most blood donations for a cause.

“Sulphur has been through a lot this year and we understand that recovery will take time and require the community to come together,” said Daniel Castillo of Vision Bank.

Daela Echols, of the Oklahoma Blood Institute, says local hospitals need 1,500 blood donations a day, and because of the holiday shortage, every donation counts.

“When the holidays come around, donations slow down, people don’t donate as much, so events like this are crucial for us to be able to meet the needs of our hospitals,” Echols said.

Bryce Chitwood of the United Way of South Central Oklahoma says they need 30 donors, so $15 will be added to the Sulfur Long-Term Recovery Fund for each blood donation received.

“To give back and make sure that people who are working to put their lives back together have the resources to do that,” Chitwood said.

Robin Jolly of First National Bank in Sulphur, says it’s a long road to recovery since April’s tornado left downtown in ruins, but says the move hopes to give back to those in need.

“We’ve lost so much of our sales tax base and our downtown business area, and it’s very difficult for a small town,” Jolly said. “We’re all trying to come together and do everything we can to try to put things back together and recover and thrive,” she added.

Echols says donors can help with recovery efforts for tornado victims, save a life and win prizes, too.

“We encourage everyone to come out and donate, have a pie, have a chance to win a YETI cooler and save three lives,” Echols said.

The drive begins Nov. 12 from 11 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. at Crossway Baptist Church in Sulphur.

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