Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Ohio is teaming up with the American Red Cross for a community blood drive — and the timing could not matter more.

The drive runs Saturday, Nov. 21, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Wayman D. Palmer YMCA, Studio D, 200 E. Bancroft St. in Toledo. Big Brothers Big Sisters is leading donor recruitment and community outreach, with the YMCA hosting.

Donors can book an appointment by calling 1-800-REDCROSS or visiting RedCrossBlood.org with sponsor code BBBSNWO.

Everyone who successfully donates gets a $10 Amazon gift card and 200 bonus Blood Donor Awards points, plus free A1C testing.

The need is real: the American Red Cross declared a national blood supply crisis in July 2026, and donations are especially needed for people with O blood type.

“Our commitment to young people includes showing them what it means to care for their community,” said Dr. Marvin Whitfield, CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Ohio. “We encourage everyone who can donate to make an appointment and invite someone to join them.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northwestern Ohio has served local youth since 1937 and now reaches more than 1,500 young people a year across Lucas and Wood counties.

Source: EIN Presswire.

Photo: U.S. Army photo by Maj. Stefanie Thompson / Wikimedia Commons (public domain)