On Dec. 27–28, the Hays County Sheriff's Office partnered with the Blood and Tissue Center of Central Texas to host blood drives in Hays County.

The drives were aimed at increasing the amount of donated blood in time for the New Year's holiday.

According to the sheriff's office, during the two-day period, the effort brought in 73 donors; for every one donor, two lives can be saved.

All donated blood from the blood drives went to hospitals that serve the citizens of Hays County, including Central Texas Medical Center, Seton Medical Center Hays, St. David's Hospital, Brackenridge Hospital and Dell Children's Hospital.

The Blood Center of Central Texas and the Hays County Sheriff's Office encourage citizens to continue donate.

The hosts for Holiday Heroes Blood Drive were Cabela's in Buda, H-E-B in Dripping Springs and the Hays County Sheriff's Office in San Marcos.

The Hays County Sheriff's Office and the Blood Center of Central Texas said they are already planning to team up for at least one blood drive each quarter.

While the drives are still in the planning stages, the events will be fun and helpful for the communities of Hays County and Central Texans, officials say.

For further information or questions, residents may contact Deputy Jeff Jordan with the Hays County Sheriff's Office Community Outreach Division at 395-2117 or via email at [email protected].