BLOOMINGDALE — Health technologies students at Jefferson County Joint Vocational School are holding a blood drive Wednesday in a bid to help build a greatly reduced supply.

The program is collaborating with the American Red Cross to conduct the campaign from 8 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the health tech room. The JVS is located at 1509 County Highway 22A in Bloomingdale, and both walk-ins and registered donors are being accepted.

Health tech students will also volunteer time manning stations from registration to the canteen, and she added that the event is generally one of several held at the school annually. Watkins noted that it is important to donate in the wake of the current national blood shortage.

Contributions will be taken to the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, facility for processing and then sent to hospitals for surgeries, cancer patients and critical needs. Meanwhile, the event also benefits graduating students since the Red Cross provides a $500 scholarship that is divided between two recipients.

To schedule an appointment, call 800-773-2767, download the app or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter “JVS.” Participants can streamline their donation and save time by visiting RedCrossBlood.org/RapidPass to complete a pre-donation questionnaire on the day of the appointment. Donors who give blood between Jan. 27 and Feb. 28 will receive a $15 gift card.