The Lexington County Sheriff’s Department and the S.C. chapter of the American Red Cross will conduct a blood drive between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 19 at the Lexington County James R. Metts Law Enforcement Complex, 521 Gibson Road, Lexington.

Citizens who wish to schedule an appointment to donate blood can contact Beth Harmon with the Sheriff’s Department at (803) 785-2593.

Each citizen who donates blood during the blood drive will receive one ticket that will be used in a raffle for awarding door prizes that will be offered during the blood drive, Sheriff James Metts said. 

Prizes will include two $20 pre-paid cards that can be used to buy gasoline, Wal-Mart gift cards, movie theater tickets, 10 coupons for combination meals at a Wendy’s fast-food restaurant, South Carolina State Museum tickets and Riverbanks Zoo tickets.

Citizens who donate blood also will be entered in a raffle that the American Red Cross will conduct for two Delta Airline tickets for travel within the continental United States, Metts said.

"The American Red Cross is in need of your help. The Red Cross is experiencing a critical blood shortage across the country," Metts said.