FORT LORAMIE — St. Michael Catholic Church in Fort Loramie will host a “Sweetheart Blood Drive in celebration of February “love your donor” month Tuesday, Feb. 16 from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. in St. Michael’s Hall, 33 Elm St.

The blood drive will feature St. Valentine’s Day refreshments and decorations and everyone who registers to donate will receive the Community Blood Center “Love Your Donor – Save Lives Give Blood” t-shirt.

St. Michael’s Hall hosts three CBC blood drive per year and is the largest community blood drive in Shelby County. Last year’s February blood drive had more than 300 donors with 242 whole blood donations, 50 double-red blood cell donations and 12 platelet and plasma donations. A large crowd is projected for the Feb. 16 blood drive and donors are encouraged to schedule an appointment online at www.DonorTime.com or call 1-800-388-GIVE.

The “Love Your Donor” campaign comes during February’s traditional celebration of St. Valentine’s Day. The t-shirt is a deep blue with a light grey blood drop and the “Love Your Donor” slogan in red and white, painted distressed lettering. The t-shirt is free to anyone who registers to donate Monday, Feb. 1 through Saturday, Feb. 27 at any CBC Donor Center and most CBC mobile blood drives.

February is the heart of winter, a time when weather often disrupts travel and seasonal illnesses interfere with donating. If you must miss an appointment to donate please reschedule as soon as you are able. We especially encourage the continued support of type O whole blood donors and type A/B platelet and plasma donors.

Learn more at www.GivingBlood.org