More than 50 people gave blood on Thursday during the Holiday Blood Drive sponsored by the Black Belt Chapter of the American Red Cross.

The blood drive took place throughout the afternoon at the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center.

Red Cross volunteers said that while they did not meet their goal of recruiting 75 donors, they did manage to come fairly close.

“Overall, it went really well,” said Red Cross volunteer Howard Tinsley.

Red Cross Donor Recruiter Sally Gaston said the holiday season is one of the times a year when blood supply is critical.

“The reason why giving blood is so important is because of the many peaks and valleys, the ups and downs of our blood supply,” Gaston said. “People tend to forget that there are still people in the hospital over Christmas. They are too busy

trying to find Susie’s doll or going to grandmother’s house they forget that lives are in the balance.”

Gaston added that she is always amazed at the outpouring of support the Red Cross receives from the residents of Dallas County.

During the Holiday Blood Drive, she said, people were waiting to give blood as soon as the event began.

Local resident Tom McLemore was one of those people who took time to donate blood at the drive.

“I try to give every time I’m eligible,” he said. “Whenever I know about the drives, I’ll come to give.”

Gaston said the American Red Cross is the main blood product supplier to Selma’s local hospital, so those who participate in area blood drives are helping out their own community.

“When we did the blood drive at Elkdale Baptist Church in September for Parker Deason, we saw around 400 people,” Gaston said. “That just goes to show you that when something catastrophic happens, the people of Dallas County will pull together and do something about it.”

Gaston said she is trying to organize another blood drive before Christmas.

“People donate blood on a regular basis are the greatest,” she said. “They are doing their best to make a difference.”