The American Red Cross typically has a tough time keeping the blood supply strong during the winter months when inclement weather and seasonal illnesses can impact donors. This year the pandemic adds in another challenge in keeping the blood supply strong. The Red Cross is urging healthy individuals to make an appointment to give blood or platelets this month.

In St. Lawrence County, the following blood drives are planned:

Canton

Feb. 3, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Morley Wesleyan Church, 7254 Cty Rd 27

Feb. 11, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Best Western University Inn, 90 E Main St

De Kalb Junction

Feb. 13, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., DeKalb Junction Fire Department, 4323 US Highway 11

Gouverneur

Feb. 1., 12:30 - 5:30 p.m., Gouverneur Veterans of Foreign Wars, 100 W Main St

Massena

Feb. 6, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., St Lawrence Centre, 6100 State Route 37

Feb. 12, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Horizons, 56-58 Main Street

Norwood

Feb. 12, 2 p.m. - 7 p.m., Village of Norwood, 15 South Main Street

Ogdensburg

Feb. 10, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Ogdensburg Volunteer Rescue Squad, 1223 Pickering Street

Potsdam

Feb 10, noon- 4 p.m., Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, 21 Castle Dr

Feb. 15, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Potsdam AmVets Post #282, 6771 US Highway 11

Waddington

Feb. 10, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., St. Mary's Catholic Church, 34 Oak Street

Winthrop

Feb. 11, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., Winthrop American Legion Post 514, 675 State Highway 11C

As a thank-you for helping ensure a stable blood supply, those who come to give this February will receive a $5 Amazon.com gift card via email, courtesy of Amazon.

Make an appointment to give blood, platelets or plasma with the Red Cross by downloading the Red Cross Blood Donor App, visiting RedCrossBlood.org, calling 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or enabling the Blood Donor Skill on any Alexa Echo device.